Bata takes opener, 11-7

Efren "Bata" Reyes drew first blood against Earl "The Pearl" Strickland last night, winning their opening race-to-11 contest, 11-7, of their $20,000 race-to-33, one-on-one showdown at the Casino Filipino in Parañaque.

Reyes, the 1999 world champion, and Strickland, a two-time world titlist, split the first four games and were tied at 7-all before the Filipino pool magician won the next four racks, the last three with Strickland getting the initiative on the break.

Dubbed the "Color of Money Part II," the event is a sequel to their classic $100,000 race-to-120 duel four years ago in Hong Kong where the Filipino won, 120-117, despite trailing the American, 87-104.

"Kinabahan pa rin ako, parang kulang sa batak," said Reyes, who clinched the win with a difficult long shot on the 9-ball. He took a 10-7 lead after Strickland scratched the cue ball on his break, leading to an easy ball-in-hand, 1-9 combination on the right corner pocket for Reyes.

The event resumes at 3 p.m. tomorrow with the second race-to-11 contest. After a couple of exhibition matches among guest-players, Reyes and Strickland will conclude their race-to-33 showdown starting at 7 p.m.

It was not a sellout crowd that witnessed the opening day action but those who came got what they wanted as the two players treated them to a night of spectacular shotmaking and accurate safety shots on the felt table. — Abac Cordero