An embarrassment if we lose — Reyes

While the Filipinos are tipped to win the 17th World Pool Championship, Efren "Bata" Reyes said they are not afraid of losing this year’s crown to their foreign rivals. What worries them is the embarrassment it would bring if they fail to live up to the hype.

Reyes, 52, said the hometown factor may or may not be an advantage for the 21 Filipino cue artists vying for the top $100,000 purse, eight of whom made it to the main draw of 128 via the qualifiers. But with the depth of talent among the local players, "The Magician" said he wouldn’t be surprised if one of them pulls off a victory in the nine-day event which starts today at the Philippine International Convention Center.

However, Reyes said he realizes there’s more pressure to win at home than abroad because local fans expect nothing less than a championship from him or from his "compadre" Francisco (Django) Bustamante.

"Of course, we get nervous because of the pressure but Django and I can play through it," he continued. "We’ll probably be a little more careful and take less chances. We’re not afraid of losing. Our concern is the embarrassment if we don’t do well. When we start perspiring, then you’ll know we’re nervous."

As for himself and Bustamante, Reyes said they’re raring to play.

"Django and I haven’t stopped playing so we’re prepared for this tournament," said Reyes in Filipino during The STAR interview at the Puyat Sports office in Makati. "Batak kami. We played in the Asian circuit, the International Pool Tour, the World Cup of Pool and other big tournaments. We couldn’t be more ready to play."

Reyes said he hopes the fans understand that before playing, he may not sign autographs or pose for pictures. That’s because he must be completely concentrated on his match.

"When you sign autographs, your hand gets tired and that becomes a disadvantage," said Reyes. "Then your eyesight gets affected with the flash of the camera. I don’t mind signing autographs and posing for pictures after a match but if it’s before a match, todas na."

Reyes said it won’t be easy regaining the title he won in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999.

The $400,000 tournament will assemble 128 hotshots from over 40 countries and oddsmakers are reluctant to name a favorite because the field is so star-studded. Defending champion Wu Chia Ching, 16, leads a formidable cast of 16 Chinese-Taipei hustlers out to keep the crown in their country. Last year, the joust was held in Kaohsiung–the fifth time Taiwan hosted.

Manila is the seventh country to stage the annual event since the inaugural competition in Germany in 1990. Aside from Taiwan and Germany, other previous hosts were the US, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Reyes said it’s not just skill that determines the outcome of a 9-ball match–in this case, a race-to-8 in the eliminations graduating to a knockout phase until the race-to-17 in the finals.

"Luck and ‘contra pelo’ are other factors," he said. "I do certain things for luck, like rubbing an ointment on my knees so I don’t get tired. I also wear clothes that I used in playing well before. When I’m winning, I don’t take a bath because it might wash off my luck. If I keep winning for several days, I just don’t take a bath. The night before a match, I make sure I get a good sleep. I must be well-rested so my eyes don’t get tired. I won’t eat much because you can’t play on a full stomach. If I play a match in the morning and another match in the afternoon, I just eat something light, like fruits, so I don’t get hungry in between. There are days when I wake up in the morning on the day of a match, I feel like I can’t lose. I hope that happens during this tournament."

Reyes said he’s not ruling out Filipino stars like Alex Pagulayan, Lee Van Corteza, Marlon Manalo and Dennis Orcollo from stealing the thunder from him and Bustamante. Pagulayan won the world crown in 2004.

"There are so many good Filipino players today," said Reyes. "I think the reason why Filipinos are good pool players is because they’re used to playing for high stakes. They learn to play at an early age, play to earn and never give up. Most of our good players are poor and backed up by managers so they don’t bet their own money. They play their best because it’s their living. It’s not like in the US where players usually bet their own money so they easily get nervous."

Reyes said crack snooker players from Asia are making inroads in the 9-ball game and will also be serious title contenders in the championships.

Since playing in his first US tournament over 20 years ago, Reyes remains the hottest campaigner in the world circuit. He said he’ll continue playing until his hands start to shake because of old age and predicted at least five more good years ahead of championship pool. But from the way Reyes hasn’t skipped a beat, "The Magician" could go on forever.