Former two-time world champion Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes lived up to his other nickname ¡°The Magician¡± to survive erstwhile conqueror Joven Bustamante via a come-from-behind 8-7 victory on Thursday and entered the Top 16 of the 1st Senate President Manny Villar Cup billiards tournament at the Starmall sportscenter in Alabang, Muntilupa.
The 54-year-year Reyes had a series of dry breaks in the early going of the match and found himself trailing by three racks, 7-4, to the frustration of big crowd who watched the third day of the tournament organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).
Reyes finally got a chance to escape the loss when Bustamante got struck by a dry break in what could be a deciding the 12th rack, allowing Reyes to unleash the big rally to the delight of the more than 500 fans.
Reyes sent the crowd roaring when he sank a tough-angled four-nine combination in the 14th rack. He then ran out the final rack to complete another Houdini act, and rolled into the knockout stage of this P1 million-plus event.
With his victory, Reyes joined Ramil Gallego, Warren Kiamco and Mark Mendoza who defeated respective rivals in the losers¡¯ bracket to barge into the knockout stage of the tournament.
Gallego defeated Mary Ann Basas and Kiamco ousted Panfilo Damu-ag, 8-4, while 18-year-old Mendoza also came from behind to eliminate veteran Eduardo Villanueva, 8-7.
The loss sent the 29-year-old Bustamante in a knockout match against former double-world champion Ronnie Alcano for the right to advance in the next stage.
Other players who already made it to the Top 16 include: reigning world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, Antonio Lining, Gande Valle, Rodolfo Luat, Elmer Haya, Carlo Biado and Jundel Mazon.
By Event Staff - 2008-05-08
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