edia and persona[edit]
Reyes is known for his highly unorthodox cueing technique. [32] Reyes is often called by his nickname
"Bata", which means "Kid" in Filipino, given to him by close friends to distinguish him from an older
Efren who also played pool. [33][34] Reyes' ability to play kick shots lead to him gaining the nickname
"Magician."[35][36] When Reyes first arrived in the United States, he took the name Cesar Morales as he
knew that players had heard his name, but not seen what he looked like, and wished to
continue hustling.[9]
In 2003, Reyes was featured in the Filipino movie Pakners with the late actor Fernando Poe Jr.,
which was his last film before his run for presidency and then death later in 2004. Reyes also
appeared in the 2007 short film Nineball.[37] In one episode of the TV series Magpakailanman, the
story follows a young Efren Reyes (portrayed by Anjo Yllana) in his early pool-playing days as he
progresses from a money player to a tournament contender. [38]
Personal life[edit]
Reyes is married to wife Susan, with three children and lives in Angeles City, Phillipines.[39] He
considers balkline to be his favourite cue sport,[40] and plays chess as a hobby.[41]
Accolades[edit]
Numerous fellow professional players have credited Reyes with being the greatest living player in
the world.[42][43] During ESPN television commentary on a semi-finals match between Reyes and Mika
Immonen at the 2000 Billiard Congress of America Open Nine-ball Championship, veteran
professional Billy Incardona stated that Reyes was "indisputably the best player in the world—
especially when you consider all games—he can play any game as well as anyone, maybe better
than anyone.... In my opinion we're watching probably the greatest player in my lifetime and I've
been watching pool for the better part of forty years." [43][44]
In 1995 Billiards Digest Magazine named Reyes the Player of the Year.[45] The following year, when
Reyes was ranked number one on the U.S.'s Pro Billiards Tour, the June 1996 issue of the
magazine featured a poll of "billiard cognoscenti"—pro players, billiards writers, industry insiders and
the like—to pick the best in billiards in various categories. [45] Billiards' own elite named Reyes the
best one-pocket player of all time.[45] The magazine wrote, "While a bevy of one-pocket geniuses
abound, Efren Reyes, whose prowess in one-pocket is sometimes obscured by his 9-ball [sic]
stardom, was the popular pick. Is there anything Bata can't do?" [45]
Reyes became the first Asian to be inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame in
2013.[46][47] He was also inducted into the One Pocket Hall of Fame in 2004. [48] Reyes was
appointed Philippine Sports Ambassador for the 2005 South East Asian Games.[44]
Efren has been awarded the Philippine Sportswriters Association Sportsman of the Year on three
occasions in 1999, 2001 and 2006.[49] He was given the Philippine Legion of Honor,[50] and included
in Time Magazine’s 60 Asian heroes in 2006.[50] He was also awarded the Philippine Order of
Lakandula "Champion for Life Award" in 2006. [51][52] He has topped the AZ Billiards Money List five
times: in 2001,[53] 2002,[54] 2004,[55] 2005[56] and 2006.[57] In 2006, he set a record by earning $646K in a
single year.[57]
Major titles and achievements[edit]
Main article: List of Efren Reyes championships
Reyes is a winner of over 70 major titles.[47] Below is a list of some of the major championship
victories.
1990 World Cup (Taipei)[58]
U.S. Open
o One-Pocket Championship (2000,[59] 2011[60])
9-Ball Championships (1994)[61]
PBT World Eight-Ball Championship
o 1995,[62] 1996, 2000
The Color of Money
1996 vs. Earl Strickland[58]
2001 vs. Earl Strickland[63]
1999 World Professional Pool Championship
Derby City Classic
o One-Pocket (1999,[64][58] 2004,[65] 2005,[66] 2006,[67] 2007,[68] 2014,[69][70][71])
o Master of the Table (1999,[58], 2004,[72] 2005,[31] 2007,[73] 2010,[74])
o Nine-ball (2005,[75] 2010,[76])
1999 ESPN Challenge
o Ultimate Nine-Ball Challenge[77]
o Ultimate Shootout[78]
2001 Tokyo Open[79]
2001 World Pool League[80]
2002 World Pool League[81]
2002 International Challenge of Champions[82]
2003 All Japan Championship[58]
2004 WPA World Eight-ball Championship[83]
International Pool Tour
o 2005 King of the Hill Eight-Ball Shootout[84]
o 2006 IPT World Open Eight-ball Championship[85]
World Cup of Pool
o 2006 World Cup of Pool (with Francisco Bustamante)[86]
o 2009 World Cup of Pool (with Francisco Bustamante)[87]
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External links
