Efren Bata Reyes

Magician "BaTa"

Efren “Bata” Reyes is more popularly known in the world of pool as “The Magician.” He is the first non-American winner of the US Open Nine Ball Championship and named by the United States Billiards Media Association’s (USBMA) the best player of the decade. Efren is the first player in WPA history to win world championships in two different disciplines. The AZ Billiards Money List named him as the top earning pool player five times. He is also the recipient of the Philippine Legion of Honor and was bestowed the Philippine Order of Lakandula "Champion for Life Award."

Why Efren Bata Reyes is Extraordinary?

Known as “The Magician,” Efren “Bata” Reyes is one of the world’s most famous pool player alive today. He holds the record of being the first non-American winner of the US Open Nine Ball Championship and the first player in WPA history to win world championships in two different disciplines. Efren was propelled to international fame after defeating the likes of Earl Strickland, Mika Imonem, Marlon Manalo, Mike "the Mouth" Sigel, and Rodney Morris. He’s been named the top earner in the pool industry by the AZ Billiards Money List on five occasions. Yet in spite of all that, Efren is yet to change his ways and act like a real celebrity entitled of the accolades and reverence due him.

The Genius Who DoESn’t Look Like One

Efren claims that he could see the game eight moves in advance. In order to be a good pool player, one has to quickly see probabilities. Efren’s strength is his analytical thinking and skill in calculating his shots. When others don’t see a way to make a good shot, Efren manages to find one and flawlessly executes it. He was called the magician for that very reason. For sheer talent and guts, he was named by the United States Billiards Media Association’s (USBMA) best player of the decade.
Nick Varner, the man he defeated in the 1994 US Open Nine Ball Championship only has nice things to say about Efren:

"Efren has such a wonderful rhythm at the table. He's so smooth. It's a beautiful thing to watch and Americans love him. He's really popular in the United States… He's just a phenomenal player. He doesn't have very many weaknesses in his game. He's phenomenal at shotmaking. There's hardly any shot on the table he can't make. His position play and speed control is superb. His knowledge of the pattern play is absolutely great. And on top of everything else, he performs really great under pressure. It's just a hard combination to beat. He's one of the greatest players ever to walk on this planet in my opinion." (Source: Margarita Station)

The Humblest Athlete Who Walked the Earth

If you ask around, those who know Efren would describe him as the greatest pool player they have ever seen… and the humblest. After all that he has achieved, Efren remains his cheery self. He doesn’t even wear dentures even though he could very much afford one now. It makes him uncomfortable. The same could be said about fame and fortune. If anything, Efren wants to live his life the way it was before he became known worldwide: simple and free of complications. According to some commentators, Efren is a special athlete in that he has no mean bone in his body. Fellow athletes would vouch for that, saying that Efren has never bad-mouthed anyone.
Perhaps, athletes of this generation could learn from this man who rose from poverty and gained the whole world but still acts like he’s got nothing.
He’s no vain person, Efren has his money invested in business with proceeds going to his nephews, nieces, and children’s education. Nothing makes him happier than seeing his loved ones well provided for. In fact, that was exactly what propelled him to become the best in his chosen field. Although he wasn’t able to complete school, Efren knew the value of good education, which is why he helps his relatives get their children to school. Such is his generosity.

Top Reasons why Efren Bata Reyes is Extraordinary

1. He is the first non-American winner of the US Open Nine Ball Championship
2. He was named the best player of the decade by the United States Billiards Media Association’s (USBMA)
3. AZ Billiards Money included him in their list five times as the Most Profitable Billiards Player since 2001
4. He is a recipient of the Philippine Legion of Honor and the Philippine Order of Lakandula "Champion for Life Award"
5. He is the first player in WPA history to win world championships in two different disciplines
6. He is the first Asian to be inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame
7. He's won the biggest first prize in a pool tournament many times
8. His tricks and unbelievable shots earned him the moniker "The Magician" overseas
9. Although touted as the best pool player, Efren remains humble
10. He was named by TIME as one of 60 Asian Heroes because of the way he changed the image of pool not only in his country but in the whole world.