‘Color of Money’ Part II

Efren "Bata" Reyes, winner of the recent San Miguel Beer "Supreme Masters of Billiards" tournament in an amazing 13-10 come-from-behind victory over Francisco "Django" Bustamante, has accepted the challenge hurled by American ace Earl "The Pearl" Strickland for a head-to-head duel in Manila March 29 and 31.

Strickland who lost an epic, nerve-wracking and emotion-filled, three-day battle against Reyes in "The Color of Money" at the Ridgeway Club in Hong Kong some four years ago, issued the challenge the moment he learned that Reyes had won the Supreme Masters title.

In an overseas telephone conversation with Aristeo "Putch" Puyat who, together with brother Jose "Popit" Puyat has steadfastly supported Filipino pool players in their quest abroad. Strickland said he wanted "to avenge" his defeat in Hong Kong and prove he is "the master of the supreme master."

Viva Vintage Sports Inc. president Vic del Rosario who has teamed up with Puyat Sports to promote billiards, promptly agreed to handle the coverage of the classic match-up between two of the greatest pool players of all-time in "The Color of Money Part II" over Viva Television-IBC 13. Total prize will be $20,000.

The format is a race to 33 in three separate sessions. On the opening day, Thursday, March 29, it will be a race to 11, telecast at 9 p.m. The second session which will also be a race to 11 will be telecast at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 while the final session which will end as one player reaches 33 will be telecast at 10 p.m. the same day.