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His eyes failing, Bata considers retirement By FRANCIS SANTIAGONovember 25, 2010, 6:20pm
Age may have caught up with Bata Reyes who said he plans to retire next year. The 57-year-old pool icon failed to win a medal in the Asian Games.MANILA, Philippines — Admitting that his game has taken a dip over the past years because of deteriorating eyesight, Efren “Bata” Reyes is already contemplating of retiring next year.
Known as the Magician worldwide, Reyes returned on Monday from a woeful outing in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China – a development that pushed him to consider ending the “Magic show” that has mesmerized the world over.
“There’s a 50-50 chance (that I may retire next year),” Reyes said in Filipino on Friday.
Reyes is set to compete in a bevy of tournaments abroad, including in the Derby City Classic in Kentucky in January next year, but Reyes said “I’m doubtful if I will still play.”
Reyes, who will be 60 in tree years, said he still has the competitive fire and passion to play at high level, but his worsening sight problem has gotten the better of him.
Reyes, a two-time world champion, failed to land a medal in the Asiad after absorbing a shock 3-7 defeat to unheralded Indian Alok Kumar in the 8-ball singles.
“I’m also losing my touch,” the pride of Angles City in Pampanga said.
Although he has posted remarkable successes in the first half of this year, the same could not be said in the latter part – a development that pushed him to consider retirement.
Flashes of camera owned by fans during games are the culprit behind his deteriorating eyesight, the legendary pool maestro said.
“I can’t blame the fans if they want to take pictures of me. But, at times, that causes my eyes to swell and gives me headache,” Reyes said.
He also blamed the long hours of playing – sometimes until the wee hours – for the deterioration of his eyesight which he said he noticed about four years ago.
He said he now needs a longer time to take his shots since he has to look at the table many times over to prepare for the following shots.
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Age may have caught up with Bata Reyes who said he plans to retire next year. The 57-year-old pool icon failed to win a medal in the Asian Games.MANILA, Philippines — Admitting that his game has taken a dip over the past years because of deteriorating eyesight, Efren “Bata” Reyes is already contemplating of retiring next year.
Known as the Magician worldwide, Reyes returned on Monday from a woeful outing in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China – a development that pushed him to consider ending the “Magic show” that has mesmerized the world over.
“There’s a 50-50 chance (that I may retire next year),” Reyes said in Filipino on Friday.
Reyes is set to compete in a bevy of tournaments abroad, including in the Derby City Classic in Kentucky in January next year, but Reyes said “I’m doubtful if I will still play.”
Reyes, who will be 60 in tree years, said he still has the competitive fire and passion to play at high level, but his worsening sight problem has gotten the better of him.
Reyes, a two-time world champion, failed to land a medal in the Asiad after absorbing a shock 3-7 defeat to unheralded Indian Alok Kumar in the 8-ball singles.
“I’m also losing my touch,” the pride of Angles City in Pampanga said.
Although he has posted remarkable successes in the first half of this year, the same could not be said in the latter part – a development that pushed him to consider retirement.
Flashes of camera owned by fans during games are the culprit behind his deteriorating eyesight, the legendary pool maestro said.
“I can’t blame the fans if they want to take pictures of me. But, at times, that causes my eyes to swell and gives me headache,” Reyes said.
He also blamed the long hours of playing – sometimes until the wee hours – for the deterioration of his eyesight which he said he noticed about four years ago.
He said he now needs a longer time to take his shots since he has to look at the table many times over to prepare for the following shots.
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