Bata remains world pool top earner

MANILA, Philippines - Pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes remained on top of the world money list while three other Filipino cue masters made it to the top 10, according to the latest azbilliards.com report.

Reyes, named the Player of the Decade earlier this year, has amassed a total earnings of $61,580 according to www.azbilliards.com.

The Filipino pool icon pocketed $20,000 for winning the Derby City Classic Master of the Table and $16,000 for ruling the Derby City Classic 9-ball tournament last Jan. 21-31 at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel Elizabeth in Indiannapolis, USA.

He has also claimed the $8,305 runner-up purse at the 23rd annual Japan Open last March 20-21 at the New Pia Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

“He was able to win rich purses early which enabled him to stay on top of the money list up to the latest ratings,” said long-time pool patron Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.

Reyes teamed up with countryman Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Taiwanese Hui-Chan Lu and Ko Pin-yi and Brunei’s Teo Cho Soon to win the Asia versus Europe Challenge Match last Jan. 15-17 in Brunei.

At second is American’s Shane Van Boening with $48,091, at third is Briton’s Karl Boyes with $37,067, and at fourth is reigning national open champion Lee Van Corteza with $35,625.

Tha Davao City native Corteza is fresh from back-to-back wins at the Hard Times Mezz Cues 10-ball and US Open 10-ball, held in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, respectively.

At fifth and sixth spots are Briton Darren Appleton and Filipino Dennis Orcullo with $34,166 and $31,775, respectively.

Orcullo also topped this year’s World Pool Masters (9-ball) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Making it to seventh place is Bustamante with $30,861.

The Tarlac City native pride Bustamante also won the Super Billiards League in Winnipeg, Canada.

At eighth to tenth spots, in order are Daryl Peach of Great Britain ($29,088), Neils Feijen of the Netherlands ($27,306) and Rodney Morris of the USA ($23,325).