source: Marlon Bernardino | mb.com.ph
Pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes has been named Player of the Decade by the United States Billiards Media Association (USBMA), beating a short list of world champions.
Reyes edged Johnny Archer, Mika Immonen of Finland and Ralf Souquet of Germany for the coveted honor.
A native of Angeles City, Pampanga, the 55-year-old Reyes has amassed $1.7 million in prize money, according to website azbilliards.
The money does not include $47,500 Reyes bagged in securing his fifth straight Master of the Table Crown last Monday during the 12th Annual Derby City Classic at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Indiana.
“He (Efren) is an inspiration for the Filipinos,” said long-time benefactor Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.
Reyes won more than 20 major men’s professional pool titles during the decade, starting with the $30,000 Camel Pro 8-Ball Championship in 2000.
Of his 22 major victories, the versatile Reyes won four one-pocket crowns, four 8-ball titles and 15 9-ball titles. He also won the Derby City All- Around title five times.
Reyes is also the first Filipino to win the prestigious World Pool (9-ball) Championships tiara in 1999 at Cardiff, Wales. He also took the World 8-ball title in 2004 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
He scored his biggest wins in the International Pool Tour (IPT) – two titles (2005 IPT King of the Hill and 2006 IPT North American Open) – and pocketed $765,000.
