I come across this news about Reyes that his books are now being written. All his accomplishments etc. will be documented in this book.
Here is the news item.
Book on Bata Reyes in the works
By Manolo I?igo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:29:00 05/07/2008
MANILA, Philippines?Humble and unassuming Efren ?Bata? Reyes is the greatest and most written-about billiards player in recent sports history.
He has occupied center stage for more than three decades?from the late 1978s, when he was ranked No. 2 in the country, next to Jose ?Amang? Parica, to his unprecedented triumphs in the prestigious 1994 US Open in Chesapeake, West Virginia, and the 1999 World 9-Ball Championship in Cardiff, Wales.
But his checkered career did not end there. Reyes won many other major tournaments with a flourish, including the $1-million IPT (International Pool Tour) 8-Ball Championship in September 2006 in Reno, Nevada, where he won a whopping $500,000, the biggest billiards paycheck on record.
Two weeks earlier, Reyes, who is known in pool circles as ?The Magician,? ruled the inaugural World Cup of Pool doubles, in a brilliant team-up with his kumpadre, Francisco ?Django? Bustamante, in South Wales, Britain.
* * *
Hailed as one of the Asian Heroes in the 60th anniversary issue (Nov. 13, 2006) of Time Asia, which had former President Corazon C. Aquino on the cover, Reyes shared sports billing with the late Hong Kong martial arts sensation Bruce Lee.
Also in the magazine?s elite roster of ?60 Years of Asian Heroes? were People Power icon and former Mr. & Ms. publisher Eugenia Apostol and editor Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, founding Philippine Daily Inquirer chair and Inquirer editor-in-chief, respectively.
?Why me,? Reyes asked in surprise during the glittering awards night in Hong Kong.
The sporting world knows why Reyes is dearly beloved?for his humanity, for his pleasant demeanor, for his successes and for his losses.
On a bad night, Reyes could also lose. But in defeat, he could come out an admirable loser, meekly smiling and shaking his head and saying, ?Talagang ganyan. Hindi palaging panalo (It?s a fact, you can?t win them all).?
I was told that people who charted Reyes? career, led by his benefactor, sports patron Aristeo ?Putch? Puyat, have already started compiling voluminous records detailing Bata?s meteoric rise in the sport. This great book is now in the works.
Here is the news item.
Book on Bata Reyes in the works
By Manolo I?igo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:29:00 05/07/2008
MANILA, Philippines?Humble and unassuming Efren ?Bata? Reyes is the greatest and most written-about billiards player in recent sports history.
He has occupied center stage for more than three decades?from the late 1978s, when he was ranked No. 2 in the country, next to Jose ?Amang? Parica, to his unprecedented triumphs in the prestigious 1994 US Open in Chesapeake, West Virginia, and the 1999 World 9-Ball Championship in Cardiff, Wales.
But his checkered career did not end there. Reyes won many other major tournaments with a flourish, including the $1-million IPT (International Pool Tour) 8-Ball Championship in September 2006 in Reno, Nevada, where he won a whopping $500,000, the biggest billiards paycheck on record.
Two weeks earlier, Reyes, who is known in pool circles as ?The Magician,? ruled the inaugural World Cup of Pool doubles, in a brilliant team-up with his kumpadre, Francisco ?Django? Bustamante, in South Wales, Britain.
* * *
Hailed as one of the Asian Heroes in the 60th anniversary issue (Nov. 13, 2006) of Time Asia, which had former President Corazon C. Aquino on the cover, Reyes shared sports billing with the late Hong Kong martial arts sensation Bruce Lee.
Also in the magazine?s elite roster of ?60 Years of Asian Heroes? were People Power icon and former Mr. & Ms. publisher Eugenia Apostol and editor Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, founding Philippine Daily Inquirer chair and Inquirer editor-in-chief, respectively.
?Why me,? Reyes asked in surprise during the glittering awards night in Hong Kong.
The sporting world knows why Reyes is dearly beloved?for his humanity, for his pleasant demeanor, for his successes and for his losses.
On a bad night, Reyes could also lose. But in defeat, he could come out an admirable loser, meekly smiling and shaking his head and saying, ?Talagang ganyan. Hindi palaging panalo (It?s a fact, you can?t win them all).?
I was told that people who charted Reyes? career, led by his benefactor, sports patron Aristeo ?Putch? Puyat, have already started compiling voluminous records detailing Bata?s meteoric rise in the sport. This great book is now in the works.
