Reyes trips Gallego, ends Villar Cup slump

MANILA, Philippines - Efren “Bata” Reyes snapped a three-year title drought by beating Ramil Gallego, 11-5, and captured the Manny Villar Cup Kadayawan leg crown before a big Sunday crowd at the NCCC Mall Activity Area in Davao City.

Reyes, 55, bucked early miscues and battled back from a 2-5 deficit to repulse Gallego, pouncing on the Bulacan leg champion’s scratch on the 11th rack to shatter a 5-all count. He never gave Gallego a chance for a comeback as he took the next five racks to wrap the victory, his first since ruling the Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky in January 2007.

“I’m so happy to finally win a leg in the Villar Cup. I offer this win to Sen. Villar for his continuing support to the sport,” said Reyes in Filipino.

Although he had competed in all the other legs of the island-hopping series presented by Sen. Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, it was Reyes’ first finals appearance in the circuit since losing to Warren Kiamco in the series’ inaugural leg in Alabang last May 2008.

Reyes, who bagged the P300,000 purse, said hard work and perseverance were key to his victory even as he hoped his win will continue to inspire young players.

Sen. Villar was on hand to award the prizes to the top finishers in the three-day tournament sponsored by Camella Communities.

Gallego settled for the runner-up honor and P120,000 cash prize.

“Reyes’ win is a big boost to our preparation for the SEA Games,” said Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines president Vic Rodriguez, referring to the country’s SEA Games campaign, where Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante will spearhead the star-studded RP team.