Efren Reyes - “Why me?”

Dana Bufalo

Dana Bufalo

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated December 3, 2006.

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=36070

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Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes on being Asian hero: Why me?
By Fe Zamora
Philippine Daily Inquirer 12/3/06

HONG KONG - “Why me?” asked Efren “Bata” Reyes.

With that simple question, the Filipino hailed as the world’s greatest pool player won even more hearts and admiration from among Asia’s “people of consequence” assembled at The Ritz-Carlton ballroom on Wednesday.

The gathering was part of the 60th-anniversary celebration of Time Asia, which marked the occasion by honoring 60 Asian heroes, among them Reyes.

“Why me? I have not done anything that made any impact on Asian life,” a nervous Reyes said in Filipino. In fact, he said, “I am just a simple man making a living from what I do best— playing billiards.”

The “simple man” however, became one of the most sought-after awardees that night, suppressing his trademark toothless smile as he posed with Asia’s captains of industry, leading journalists and pretty girls in designer gowns.

Dapper in the green suit he got when he was inducted to the game’s Hall of Fame, Reyes said the honor had come as a big surprise.

“I can only conclude that this is because the sport of billiards has risen to great heights in popularity and acceptance and is now featured live on prime time in sports television channels the world over,” he said.

In Time Asia’s estimation, Reyes has succeeded in pushing billiards to the level of the world’s best-watched sports, and himself as among the astonishing Asian personalities in sports and athletics.

He shared the honor with the late martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, squash player Jahangir Khan of Pakistan, badminton champion Rudy Hartono of Indonesia, celebrated baseball player Sadaharu Oh of Japan, and sports leader Mou Zuoyun of China.

Lucky 13
According to Time magazine, Reyes’ achievements in billiards also dramatized the uncanny ability of a Filipino “to parlay hard work, skill and guile into fame, fortune and respect.”

Born on Aug. 26, 1954, to a barber and a market vendor, Reyes learned the sport while living with an uncle who ran the Lucky 13 billiard hall in Santa Cruz, Manila.

He said he sometimes slept on the pool table at Lucky 13 “so I could practice more often.”

Reyes soon drew attention with his natural talent, and in 1987, during a tournament in Texas, he dazzled. For pulling off extraordinary shots never before seen in the game, he has been dubbed by sports journalists and game aficionados as “The Magician.”

Since then, he has won practically all billiards tournaments, including the world pool championship in Cardiff, England in 1999.

Still not a rich man
But for all that, a wealthy man Reyes is not.

“I have so many relatives and friends who are always in need,” he told the Inquirer at the hotel coffee shop.

Not that all those needy friends have discouraged him from playing—and winning some more.

“I want to win in the Olympics. I hope they include billiards,” he said.
 
Thanks for sharing the link. Efren is a rare champion...one that I can respect as much for his character as his extraordinary skill.
 
Dana Bufalo said:
Article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer
Click to expand...

DB,
Many thanks for the article; it was great reading.

P.S. - still a little puzzled as to why he didn't mention all of the tips I gave him during our partnership at the DCC AZB Room Celebrity Match in January....probably just an oversight....perhaps he was misquoted.
 
Wow, pool is really blessed to have a champion as humble and kind as Efren. I don't think he is even aware just how much he means to this sport, definitely a great role model on and off the table for young players not just in the Philippines and Asia, but all over the world.
 
Dana Bufalo said:
Since then, he has won practically all billiards tournaments, including the world pool championship in Cardiff, England in 1999.
Click to expand...

Great player, but wrong on both points.

Boro Nut
 
More on Efren...

Time Magazine’s 60 Years of Asian Heroes – Efren Reyes

http://www.time.com/time/asia/2006/heroes/ae_reyes.html

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Efren Reyes
Pool isn't merely a beer-hall amusement—it's a path to the top
by Bob Guerrero

Crime, entertainment or professional sport are the more traditional paths followed by those seeking an escape from poverty. Thankfully for the Philippines and the game of pool, Efren Reyes opted for the third of these routes. It might not have been the case—growing up dirt poor in Angeles City, Pampanga, presents a man with countless ways to go awry. But Reyes possessed so miraculous a talent that nothing, ultimately, could deviate him from his true calling.

At the age of nine, Reyes began hustling for pesos at a pool hall owned by his uncle. Forty-two years later, he would collect the richest prize the game had ever seen—$500,000 in the International Pool Tour World 8 Ball Championship in Reno, Nevada, which Reyes won in September. Connecting those two events is a career trajectory that moves in only one direction: up.

Reyes has won almost every major title, leveraging a repertoire of creative shots that is as legendary as his genial temperament. Humble, soft-spoken and flashing a toothless smile, he is beloved even by his rivals: in a poll during the last World Pool Championship, over half of the competitors named him as their favorite player. But he is especially idolized by impoverished Filipinos, to whom he is still Bata, or "the kid," and the embodiment of their aspirations. They know, too, that he has shared his winnings with needy friends and relatives.

These qualities have earned Reyes the kind of adulation normally reserved for film stars. He has even featured in advertising campaigns by the likes of McDonald's and San Miguel beer. But if there's one thing the man has been advertising since the day he first picked up a cue, it's this: the odds-defying ability of a poor Pinoy to parlay hard work, skill and guile into fame, fortune and respect.

Bob Guerrero, a TV sports commentator in the Philippines, has reported on many of Reyes' most important games.
 
not to mention,.....................................He got LUCKY!:D


oh,... if I could be that lucky;D

Gerry
 
Dana Bufalo said:
Reyes soon drew attention with his natural talent, and in 1987, during a tournament in Texas, he dazzled. For pulling off extraordinary shots never before seen in the game, he has been dubbed by sports journalists and game aficionados as “The Magician.”
Click to expand...

I can't believe I hadn't heard about this part before. Does anyone know what shot they are referring to? It would be interesting to hat Caesar Morales shot. ;)
 
Donovan said:
I can't believe I hadn't heard about this part before. Does anyone know what shot they are referring to? It would be interesting to hat Caesar Morales shot. ;)
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I'll have to speculate here.

Johnny Ervolino once told me that Efren did things with inside englsih that he had never seen before. Coming form a guy who watched Ralph Greenleaf, Willie Mosconi, Irving Crane, Jimmy Caras, James Evans, Luther Lassiter and so many other legends, these are strong words.

In addition, I believe Efren has been credited with finding new uses for the masse shot in one-pocket.

Truly a magician.......and an enduring credit to our sport.
 
Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes on being Asian hero: Why me?
By Fe Zamora
Philippine Daily Inquirer 12/3/06

HONG KONG - “Why me?” asked Efren “Bata” Reyes.

i think this explains everything the man efren is. a true unassuming gentleman.

jaz
 
a class act

Efren is aware of who and what he is. In every interview I have seen he has been a great representative for himself, his sponsors, and the sport.

Watching the exhibition he put on in the semi's and finals of the DCC one pocket in 2006 made one-pocket seem to be child's play. I don't think anyone could watch it and believe that they could have beaten him on that day. To see his calm demeanor and hear his usual modest version of what happened was incredible.

In some ways it would be nice for the sport if probably the best overall in the world with a cue stick was tall, young, ruggedly handsome, and articulate in english. However in other ways, it is hard to imagine finding someone with a more winning public persona to represent the sport. He has raised modest and unassuming to an art form matched only by his ability with a stick.

Hu
 
sniper said:
Wow, pool is really blessed to have a champion as humble and kind as Efren. I don't think he is even aware just how much he means to this sport, definitely a great role model on and off the table for young players not just in the Philippines and Asia, but all over the world.
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You are very correct with this comment.most pros when asked who is the best player to have played played the game,living or deceased.i bet 90 percent would say efren.
 
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