Ko knocks out Bata in billiards faceoff

MANILA, Philippines - Taiwanese Pin Yi Ko downed Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-4, to win the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face-Off Series dubbed Philippines versus Asia late Saturday at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque.

After a 2-all deadlock in the fourth frame, Reyes, the former World 9-ball and 8-ball champion, never had a chance to return to the table after Ko raced to a 6-2 and 7-4 lead in the event, a joint undertaking of Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp., with The Philippine STAR as media partner.

Ko goes up against World 9-ball kingpin Django Bustamante on Feb. 25.

“Luck played a part in my victory.” said Ko, the two-time world junior champion, through an interpreter. “ Efren (Reyes) is a very tough opponent,” he added.

“Pin Yi-ko is one of the best players in the World today,” said Reyes, the first Asian to be inducted into the Billiards Hall of Fame.