Reyes is World 8-ball king; Takes home P25.275M top prize

For one more time, the ageless Filipino shotmaker Efren "Bata" Reyes proved why he is the greatest pool player to have ever existed on planet Earth.

Reyes bombed out American "Rocket" Rodney Morris in the final, 8-6, to win the $3 million IPT World Open 8-Ball Championship yesterday at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada.

Aside from avenging his loss to Morris during the US Open final 10 years ago, Reyes also pocketed the whopping grand prize of $500,000 (Php25.275 million) - by far the biggest paycheck in billiards history. Morris got $150,000.

When asked by www.internationalpooltour.com on whether it was the money or the title that was mattered most to him, Reyes gladly replied: "Both the money and the title! They're expecting us to win in our country."

Neither player sank a ball on the break until the score reached 3-2 in favor of Morris.

The Hawaiian, however, scratched on the break three times during the match, which gave Reyes a huge advantage.

With the score knotted at 5-all, Morris bungled a tough shot on the 6 ball. Reyes took advantage to take a 6-5 lead.

Reyes dropped the 11 ball off the break, but missed the 8 ball, eliciting a collective gasp from the audience.

Morris played safe, leaving the cue ball near the top rail, while the 8 was in between the 15 and 10 balls. Reyes shot directly at the 8 ball and it dropped, but head referee Ken Schuman called a foul.

Lady luck still smiled at Reyes though as Morris scratched on the break for the third time to the American's dismay. Reyes calmly cleaned up the table to grab a 7-6 edge.

Reyes was fortunate enough in his last break when the 15 ball collided with the 2, sending it flying into the corner pocket. He drilled in one ball after the other until he got perfect position on the 8 ball and pocketed it smoothly to win the match.

"I missed two eight balls, I think, but they were both corner pockets. It makes me feel nervous-when I'm shooting that, I'm shaking a little. That's why I missed the eights," said Reyes.

Tournament director Deno Andrews said there was no doubt Reyes was the best man in the week-long poolfest that gathered the best billiards players and the upcoming ones around the world.

"I think the best player in the tournament won. It is what it is. You can't beat Efren as far as calling him the best player in the world, I don't think there's anybody out there who would deny that," said Andrews.

It was back-to-back triumphs for Reyes in major tournaments he joined recently. He teamed up with Francisco "Django" Bustamante to steer the Philippines to the historic first ever championship of World Cup of Pool. They won $60,000 for that feat.

In the World Open 8-Ball, Bustamante landed at seventh place overall to take $41,000. The second best Filipino finisher next to Reyes was Dennis Orcollo, who received $66,000 for placing sixth.

The other Filipino cue artists who took part in the event were Cebuano Warren Kiamco, Alex Pagulayan, Jose "Amang" Parica, Rodolfo Luat, Santos Sambajon, Ronnie Alcano, Marlon Manalo, Antonio Lining and Ramil Gallego. Filipino Edwin Montal also saw action but fought under the banner of Canada.