THE legendary Efren “Bata” Reyes showed the people why he is called “The Magician” as he displayed his billiard expertise by making difficult shots look easy in his first round match of the Open Division of the 1st Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg–Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.
As expected, the 1999 World Pool champion made Tugegarao’s top player Aram Serguiano look like an amateur in a lopsided 9-1 win.
Reyes won the first eight racks of their match shooting a lot of trick shots and combinations.
The former World 9-Ball champion also had a few mistakes, like a scratch in the third rack during his break, but Serguiano simply couldn’t capitalize.
In the eighth rack Serguiano narrowed Reyes’ commanding eight rack lead by a rack with a one to nine ball combination.
Sensing that his victory was inevitable, Efren played to the crowd and entertained them with some trick shots.
Reyes will next take on Jharome Peña, who defeated Roy Steffensen, 9-0, in the second round today, while both Steffensen and Serquiano will try their luck in the losers’ side of the draw.
On the other hand, former world no. 1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante exhibited his dominance as he prevailed over the much younger Renemar David, 9-4.
David had the early 1-0 rack advantage but Bustamante quickly sprang to take the next four racks for a 4-1 lead.
Bustamante was then ahead 8-4 and won the match by cleaning up the whole rack.
Prowess
Bustamante also displayed his prowess by winning through combinations and making complex shots to a match against the winner of the Gandy Valle vs. Manolo Tanasas match, which was to be played late last night.
Defending champion Alex Pagulayan also advanced to the next round after a 9-2 win against Godofredo Ducanes. Pagulayan, who won the World Pool Championship in 2004, will next face Carlo Biado.
Biado defeatedChris Johanessen, 9-6.
Other big guns who adanced were Lee Van Corteza, Dennis Orcullo and Roberto Gomez.
Corteza defeated Ronnie Aying, 9-3; two time Superbalita champion Orcullo flattened Danny Otacan, 0-2, while Gomez, who finished runnerup in last year’s World Pool championship, defeated Jomar de Ocampo, 9-2.
Corteza will next face Jundel Mazon, who pulled a 9-2 upset against 2005 Superbalita champion Elmer Haya, while Orcullo will face Ricky Zerna, who defeated Roberto Dy, 9-6 and Gomez will tangle with Rodoflo Luat, who won by default against Benson Palce. (EKA)
