Bata lives in sudden death, claims crown

Efren "Bata" Reyes won the 2002 International Challenge of Champions 9-ball classic in a nerve-tingling, one-rack sudden death playoff with Mika Immonen of Finland at Mohegan Sun Casino, Conn., USA Thursday.

The win was worth $50,000 for the multi-titled Filipino sports idol. It was also the second tournament won by the superstar Puyat Sports tandem of Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante in the international pro billiards circuit this month. Earlier, Bustamante won the title and Reyes placed fifth in the Peninsula 9-Ball Open in Virginia.

Reyes beat Hsiao-lang Fang of Chinese Taipei, 5-4, and Immonen defeated Steve Knight of England in the semifinals to set up the finals between the two former world pool (Cardiff) champions. They disputed the prestigious title and $50,000 prize in a match played under a unique format — best-of-3 race-to-5 series.

"Buenas lang," the ever humble Reyes said, "Magaling ang tira ngayon ni Immonen. Malakas din ang kaba ko."

According to Bustamante who accompanied Reyes to Connecticut for moral support, here is how the finals between Reyes and Immonen went:

Immonen won the first race-to-5 match, 5-3. Reyes took the second, 5-4. To break the one-one tie, the two played a one-rack playoff.

Immonen won the lag and pocketed two balls with his break which scattered the rest of the balls. But after pocketing 1, 2 and 3 he "hooked" himself and with his cue ball in a difficult spot, failed to pocket the 4 ball. Reyes cleaned up the table to win the championship.

Reyes and Bustamante now move on to Nevada to compete in the Las Vegas International 9-Ball tournament on Aug.18-23 and return to Manila to prepare for the Asian Games in Busan, Korea. They are both skipping the US Open 9-ball Championship in Virginia next month to join the RP delegation to the Games.