Efren Reyes

By InsidePOOL Staff

Efren Reyes – Philippines

Age -    49

Based -   Angeles City, Philippines

Nickname -  ‘Bata’ and ‘The Magician’

Hobbies -  Chess, movies

Years Playing -  Started playing for money in 1984

Achievements - 1999 World Pool Champion, 1994 US Open Champion, World Pool League Champion 2001 & 2002, winner 2003 Mid-Atlantic Championship, winner San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour Championship, Manila, 2003 Las Vegas 9-Ball Open Champion.

Reyes is something of a living legend in his home country of the Philippines where he is o­ne of their highest profile sportsmen. His 1999 World Championship victory live o­n TV, elevated pool into the major league and saw Reyes become a national celebrity, starring in TV adverts for San Miguel Beer and McDonalds among others. Efren Reyes is the 2002 International Challenge of Champions winner, the 2003 Mid-Atlantic 9-Ball Open Champion, the 1999 World 9-Ball Champion, and was the 1999 Player of the Year.  He was also inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame in 2003.  He began playing billiards in 1974 and currently resides in Manila, Philippines.  Now 49 years-old, Efren’s talent shows no signs of abating. Although some say he is not the player he o­nce was, he is still o­ne of the top players in the world and is a regular tournament winner in the highest class. A big win last year of $50,000 in the USA showed that when there is big money o­n the table, Reyes comes into his own. Despite his success, Reyes remains as modest as ever and is a highly popular figure among his fellow professionals.

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