A very nice read:
By Recah Trinidad
Published on Page A26 of the September 13, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=20648
Unlike the vastly popular Manny Pacquiao, RP boxing god, Efren “Bata” Reyes can’t sell a tube of toothpaste even if the charming billiards icon smiles his sweetest toothless smile. It’s a no-contest between the two sports heroes when it comes to endorsing products. Pacquiao is undisputed King of the Commercial Hill.
But have you heard this contention that Bata Reyes is as great, if not greater than Pacquiao? You’re free to object or protest.
This should actually be a non-issue out there in Malacañang, where Pacquiao is regularly herded and honored upon returning from big foreign campaigns.
OK. Pacman is the outstanding Palace favorite.
But while President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was busy defending her dismal human rights record during her European sojourn, Bata Reyes sparkled with homespun wizardry to top his American foe and win the International Pool Tour 2006 World Open 8-Ball championship at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada, early Monday.
Reyes bagged what’s considered pool’s biggest prize money -- $500,000 (about P25.5 million).
Pacquiao, who got $2 million when he kayoed Erik Morales last January and is due to pick $3 million in a rubber match against his Mexican rival in November, is undisputedly the richest Filipino athlete.
Bata’s feat, however, has also affirmed this great Pampangueño as a multimillionaire sports superstar.
Now this contest, if a race it should be called, is not all about money, the color of the US dollar.
Just like Pacquiao, Bata has a stranglehold on immortality, a distinction he gained when he topped the World Pool Championship the first time the event was beamed to the world on television in 1999.
Pacquiao has had two legit world titles, the WBC flyweight and the IBF super bantamweight championships.
Reyes ruled the first staging of the International Billiards Championship in Japan last year. He also won the first tournament of the IPT, called “King of the Hill,” last year.
What Pacquiao currently holds is the WBC International super featherweight belt, officially recognizing him as the best among boxers ranked 11th or lower by the world body.
With his stunning worth, Pacquiao should be a future Hall-of-Famer.
But Bata Reyes has been installed in the Billiards Congress of America Hall of Fame as early as 2003.
Pacquiao was coming back from defeat, and his stirring stoppage of Morales early this year had national spirit soaring up, up high.
Bata Reyes? Well, his super rich triumph had fallen short on dramatics all for the simple fact that, unlike Pacquiao, Bata has been an established winner.
Bata had seldom frustrated the great expectations of his adoring home fans.
All told, Pacquiao appears ahead in this unofficial race.
In fact, there was hardly a hint yesterday of a big welcome, much more a ticker tape parade or motorcade for Bata’s scheduled return today.
But knowing Bata, he’s too humble to wonder about the absence of grandness and glitz that he also deserves.
Still, it cannot be helped, for those who wanted to truly weigh merits, whether there should be a contest between a magician and a mauler.
Should there be a comparison between brilliance and brawn?
Yes, Bata Reyes is way behind in the endorsement race.
But, unlike the other superstar, he doesn’t have to rely on magic to sell cheap vinegar and patis (fish sauce) that’s nothing but salt and colored water.
By Recah Trinidad
Published on Page A26 of the September 13, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=20648
Unlike the vastly popular Manny Pacquiao, RP boxing god, Efren “Bata” Reyes can’t sell a tube of toothpaste even if the charming billiards icon smiles his sweetest toothless smile. It’s a no-contest between the two sports heroes when it comes to endorsing products. Pacquiao is undisputed King of the Commercial Hill.
But have you heard this contention that Bata Reyes is as great, if not greater than Pacquiao? You’re free to object or protest.
This should actually be a non-issue out there in Malacañang, where Pacquiao is regularly herded and honored upon returning from big foreign campaigns.
OK. Pacman is the outstanding Palace favorite.
But while President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was busy defending her dismal human rights record during her European sojourn, Bata Reyes sparkled with homespun wizardry to top his American foe and win the International Pool Tour 2006 World Open 8-Ball championship at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada, early Monday.
Reyes bagged what’s considered pool’s biggest prize money -- $500,000 (about P25.5 million).
Pacquiao, who got $2 million when he kayoed Erik Morales last January and is due to pick $3 million in a rubber match against his Mexican rival in November, is undisputedly the richest Filipino athlete.
Bata’s feat, however, has also affirmed this great Pampangueño as a multimillionaire sports superstar.
Now this contest, if a race it should be called, is not all about money, the color of the US dollar.
Just like Pacquiao, Bata has a stranglehold on immortality, a distinction he gained when he topped the World Pool Championship the first time the event was beamed to the world on television in 1999.
Pacquiao has had two legit world titles, the WBC flyweight and the IBF super bantamweight championships.
Reyes ruled the first staging of the International Billiards Championship in Japan last year. He also won the first tournament of the IPT, called “King of the Hill,” last year.
What Pacquiao currently holds is the WBC International super featherweight belt, officially recognizing him as the best among boxers ranked 11th or lower by the world body.
With his stunning worth, Pacquiao should be a future Hall-of-Famer.
But Bata Reyes has been installed in the Billiards Congress of America Hall of Fame as early as 2003.
Pacquiao was coming back from defeat, and his stirring stoppage of Morales early this year had national spirit soaring up, up high.
Bata Reyes? Well, his super rich triumph had fallen short on dramatics all for the simple fact that, unlike Pacquiao, Bata has been an established winner.
Bata had seldom frustrated the great expectations of his adoring home fans.
All told, Pacquiao appears ahead in this unofficial race.
In fact, there was hardly a hint yesterday of a big welcome, much more a ticker tape parade or motorcade for Bata’s scheduled return today.
But knowing Bata, he’s too humble to wonder about the absence of grandness and glitz that he also deserves.
Still, it cannot be helped, for those who wanted to truly weigh merits, whether there should be a contest between a magician and a mauler.
Should there be a comparison between brilliance and brawn?
Yes, Bata Reyes is way behind in the endorsement race.
But, unlike the other superstar, he doesn’t have to rely on magic to sell cheap vinegar and patis (fish sauce) that’s nothing but salt and colored water.