EFREN REYES
SCORELINE EDITORIAL TEAM/JET HILARIO
Player Profile Series: “The Magician” Efren “Bata” Reyes
Efren “Bata” Reyes is a legendary figure, known as “The Magician” in the world of pool or billiards. He is a Filipino professional pool player who has won many world championships in two different pool disciplines.
He was a four-time World Eight-Ball Champion, the 1999 WPA World Nine-Ball Championship winner, a three-time U.S. Open winner, a two-time World Pool League Champion, a four-time All Japan Championship winner, a seven-time Asian Nine-Ball Tour Champion, and a thirteen-time Derby City Classic winner.
Reyes is also a four-time World Eight-Ball Champion, the 1999 WPA World Nine-Ball Championship winner, a three-time U.S. Open winner, a two-time World Pool League Champion, a four-time All Japan Championship winner, a seven-time Asian Nine-Ball Tour Champion, and a thirteen-time Derby City Classic winner.
In 2006 and 2009, Reyes represented the country with his partner Francisco Bustamante at the World Cup of Pool and won the event.
Full name: Efren Manalang Reyes
Nickname: "The Magician", "Bata"
Age: 70 years old
Birth Date: August 26, 1954
Hometown: Angeles City, Pampanga
Achievements:
International
1995 Billiards Digest Player of the Year
2003 Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame
2004 One Pocket Hall of Fame
2006 Time Magazine's 60 Asian heroes
2010 U.S. Billiard Media Association Player of the Decade - 2000s
2018 Asian Culture Day Lifetime Achievement Award
2024 World Billiards Museum Hall of Fame
National
1999 Philippine Legion of Honor
1999 The Outstanding Filipino Award
1999 Philippine Sportsman of the Year
2001 Philippine Sportsman of the Year
2006 Philippine Sportsman of the Year
2006 Order of Lakandula Champion for Life Award
2010 Philippine Sports Hall of Fame
2019 Philippine Sports Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2023, he took home third-place honors in the Derby City Classic One Pocket Tournament in Southern Indiana, USA. Beating much younger opponents on his way to the semifinals, the 68-year-old cue legend reminded everyone why he is widely regarded as the best pool player to ever do it.
In 2024, after commemorating his 70th birthday, he launched the Efren Reyes Cup in the country in honor of the sport’s greatest player and tournament namesake.
This annual five-on-five tournament between Asia and Europe is dedicated in Reyes' name. The inaugural Reyes Cup pitted the best cue artists from Team Asia—captained by Efren "Bata" Reyes himself—against those from Team Europe. Team Asia, led by the legendary pool player and professional athlete Efren “Bata” Reyes, brought home the inaugural Reyes Cup after scoring 11 against Europe’s 6 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
As of this writing, Reyes is considered the greatest billiards player in the world, followed by Earl Strickland and Shane Van Boening.
News
Alex Eala made history for Philippine tennis by becoming the first Filipina player to advance to the 3rd round of Wimbledon with her victory over Maya Joint, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the 2nd round of the tournament.
The filipina tennis ace bounced back against a struggling first set, and won the next two to secure the victory.
The win also served as payback for Eala, who fell short to Joint in the Lexus Eastbourne Open final, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7, in June 2025.
Up next, the 21-year old's 3rd round opponent will be World. No.3 and defending champion Iga Swiatek.
The two are tied at 1-1 in their meetings. Eala defeated Swiatek in the 2025 Miami Open quarterfinals, while Swiatek evened the series with a victory in the 2025 Madrid Open round of 64. This upcoming match-up will be their tiebreaker.
The filipina acknowledged that it will be a difficult challenge to overcome against Swiatek.
"I think it's going to be tough for me," she said.
Eala will face Swiatek tomorrow, July 4.
Alas Pilipinas Girls U18 defeated Iran in its first match of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, 29-19, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, today in Thailand, July 1.
In the match, which lasted more than two hours, Xyz Ellen Rayco led the team's offense with 19 points, including 14 attack points.
Joining the 15-year-old Rayco was Ma. Ellanie Lorraine Gonzalvo, who also contributed 15 points, highlighted by 12 attack points and two aces.
Philippines head coach Rey Karl Dimaculangan emphasized the importance of maintaining the right mindset.
"We need to be more focused on the game and be more aggressive, especially on the floor," he said.
Alas Pilipinas will next face Japan on Thursday before taking on India on Friday.
Alas Pilipinas secured the bronze medal after beating Indonesia, 27-25, 27-29, 18-25, 25-22, 15-11, in the 2026 Southeast Asian Girls' U18 Volleyball Championship.
This marks their second consecutive Bronze Medal after they clinching the first in last year's tournament.
Ella Gonzalvo also won the Best Outside Hitter Award in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Thailand successfully defended their title against Vietnam, 25-23, 29-27, 25-22, and was crowned champion once again in the Princess Cup.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Isaiah Hartenstein to a 3-year contract extension, retaining him to be a key part of the team until the 2028-2029 NBA season.
The extension will pay him $75 million in new money for the next three years, with a total of $134 million guaranteed over the next five years with OKC.
The German center's impact on this young OKC team has extended beyond the stat sheet, as he played a significant role in helping the franchise win the 2025 NBA championship.
During his two years in Oklahoma, he averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game as their starting center.
The long-awaited rematch between Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr., originally scheduled for September 2026, has been postponed, according to Manny Pacquiao Promotions CEO Jas Mathur, made the announcement on Friday.
Pacquiao camp stated the postponement was caused by volatile mix of federal lawsuits, scheduling overbooks, and financial gridlock completely surrounding the Mayweather camp.
Among the the reported legal disputes is a lawsuit filed by Events company CSI against the american boxer, alleging he and his camp failed to fulfill the agreement granting the exclusive promotional rights for the rematch, and an exhibition match between him and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
The lawsuit reportedly involves at least $4.65 million for the american boxer to recover.
The possibility of this rematch will likely happen on early 2027, should the Mayweather camp and CSI be fully resolve their internal contract disputes out of court.
Furthermore, Pacman, who just came out of retirement last year and fought Marrio Barrios that ended in a draw, has begun exploring other options for his next fight this year.
