Bata outclasses chief rivals

Efren "Bata" Reyes turned in a magical performance last night to beat Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 13-10, in the finals of the Supreme Masters of Billiards Championship at the jampacked Metropolis Star Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

The 47-year-old Reyes, who has yet to nail a major victory since winning the World 9-Ball crown in Cardiff, Wales in 1999, was almost given up for dead after losing a 5-0 lead and trailing Bustamante, the 1998 world No. 1 player from Tarlac, 6-10.

But Reyes, egged on by a huge weekend crowd that filled the playing area on the ground floor and the balcony of the next three floors, suddenly came to life as the pride of Angeles City won the last seven racks to complete the come-from-behind victory.

"Nadala lang ng tao," was all Reyes could say as he was swarmed by his overzealous fans and supporters after his stirring win. He was mobbed even on his way to the elevator and needed to be escorted by mall guards on his way to the parking lot on the fourth floor.

The victory was worth P100,000 for Reyes.

Reyes was preparing to hit the ninth ball — which was on the mouth of the right corner pocket — when Bustamante conceded the match, shaking Reyes’ hands in defeat. Bustamante took home P50,000.

Reyes and Bustamante made it to the finals of the one-day, single-round robin event by disposing of Leonardo "Dodong" Andam and Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, respectively, in the race-to-11 semis. Andam and Luat settled for P25,000 each.

Reyes, who drew the biggest applause when the four players were introduced to the crowd, crushed Andam, 11-5, while Bustamante devastated Luat, 11-3.

In the finals, Reyes scored run-outs in the second and fourth racks and won the first five racks in less than 20 minutes. But he turned cold, allowing Bustamante to pull even at 5-5.

After an exchange of racks, Bustamante grabbed the upperhand at 7-6 when he sank the ninth ball on a thunderous break. He won the next three racks, including a run-out on the 15th, for the 10-6 lead which Reyes couldn’t have overcome without the cheers from the crowd.