All news tagged PhilippineBilliards

Philippine billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes was honored with a heartfelt tribute at Pacman’s Cue Club in Mandaluyong City as he celebrated his 71st birthday last Tuesday, August 26.

Known worldwide as “The Magician,” Reyes was surrounded by friends, fellow legends, and fans who gathered to celebrate the man regarded as the greatest pool player of all time. 

“It feels like I’m not growing old—like I’m still a kid. This birthday celebration makes me really happy,” Reyes said, beaming with gratitude.

Fellow icons Marlon “The Marvelous Captain” Manalo and Francisco “Django” Bustamante were among those who paid tribute.

“My wish for Efren is for him to keep playing and stay strong. Don’t stop playing, because if you stop, you might lose your edge,” said Manalo.

“This tribute is from me and Senator Manny Pacquiao. Happy Birthday. You know I love you so much. Even as we grow old, we’re still here. I hope you have many more years ahead, ”  Bustamante shared.

Reyes delighted the crowd with his signature trick shots, proving that his magic remains. 

Despite his legendary status, his focus is on the future of Philippine billiards. He expressed his desire to mentor young talents, especially in the provinces, and emphasized the need for more support and sponsorship for rising stars.

“We have so many talented players who haven’t emerged yet because they lack sponsors. They need to showcase their skills,” Reyes explained.

A longtime advocate for billiards’ inclusion in the Olympics, Reyes hopes the next generation of Filipino cue artists might one day achieve that dream. 

“I may never see billiards in the Olympics myself, but I want our young players to have that chance,” he added.

Out of 18 Filipino cue artists who began their campaigns at the 2025 World Pool Championship, only seven remain in the hunt for the title as the tournament heads into the Round of 16.

Veterans Roland Garcia and AJ Manas made early exits, falling in the Round of 64.

Advancing further were Marvin Asis, Michael Feliciano, and Johann Chua, but all three were stopped in the Round of 32—each falling to a red-hot Anton Raga, who has quietly emerged as one of the most dangerous players in the draw.

The Round of 16, scheduled for tonight, July 25, will showcase two all-Filipino showdowns:

Bernie Regalario vs. Patric Gonzales

Carlo Biado vs. Jeffrey Ignacio

These matchups ensure that at least two Filipino players will move on to the quarterfinals, continuing the Philippines’ proud tradition of excellence in world-class pool competition.

With Anton Raga, Regalario, Gonzales, Biado, and Ignacio still in the mix, Filipino fans have every reason to be hopeful for another deep run—and possibly another world title.

Seventeen of the Philippines’ top billiards players are set to battle for the coveted Crown Jewel of Nineball as the World Pool Championship kicks off Monday at the Green Halls in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Led by former world champion Carlo Biado and 2023 semifinalist Johann Chua, the Philippines will field the largest contingent in the 128-man field, all gunning for a piece of the record-setting prize pool for the champion. 

Chua and Biado headline the campaign as they look to deliver the country’s fifth world title, following in the footsteps of Filipino legends Efren “Bata” Reyes (1999), Ronnie Alcano (2006), Francisco “Django” Bustamante (2010), and Biado himself, who lifted the trophy in 2017 and finished runner-up in 2018.

Joining them are veterans James Aranas, Lee Vann Corteza, and Roland Garcia, alongside emerging stars AJ Manas, Anton Raga, Bernie Regalario, and Jefrey Roda. Also flying the flag are Michael Feliciano, Jeffrey Ignacio, Michael Baoanan, Marvin Asis, Alexis Ferrer, Mark Kalagayan, and Marlon Caneda.

The road to the title, however, won't be easy. Defending champion Fedor Gorst (USA) enters as the heavy favorite, chasing his third world crown and aiming to become the first back-to-back winner since Earl Strickland's legendary run from 1990 to 1992.

Other top contenders include Joshua Filler (Germany), Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (Spain), Jayson Shaw (Great Britain), Aloysius Yapp (Singapore), the Ko brothers—Pin Yi and Ping Chung (Chinese Taipei)—and Shane Van Boening (USA).

Ramil Gallego is one of the Philippines' most respected professional pool players, known for his skill, composure, and international presence—particularly in Asia.

A seasoned competitor, Gallego has represented the Philippines in numerous tournaments abroad, with a strong focus on the Japanese billiards circuit. Filipino fans began to recognize him more widely during his appearances in the Motolite International Tournament (won by Francisco Bustamante) and the Rising Stars Tournament (won by Edgar Acaba).

Over the years, Gallego has proudly carried the Philippine flag in competitions overseas, with Japan being one of his most frequent battlegrounds. He is fluent in Japanese and often serves as a translator for fellow Pinoy players during events.

One of his most memorable career moments came on July 28, 2008, when the then 41-year-old Gallego delivered a stunning performance at the Manny Villar Cup Bulacan leg, held at the Event Center of SM City Marilao. He edged out Francisco Bustamante in the semifinals, 10–9, and went on to defeat Carlo Biado, 11–7, in the finals to secure the championship.

Warren Kiamco is a Filipino professional pool player from Cebu, Philippines. He is known for his performances in the Southeast Asian and Asian Games.

Renowned for his exceptional skills in 9-ball, Kiamco has made significant contributions to the sport both in the Philippines and internationally.

Kiamco’s playing style is smooth and finesse-based, characterized by precise shot-making and strategic play. His consistent performances in various international tournaments have solidified his reputation as one of the top Filipino cue artists. Despite facing formidable opponents, Kiamco's resilience and skill have earned him respect and admiration in the global pool community.

He has secured multiple prestigious titles, including the 2021 Buffalo's Pro Classic Nine-Ball and the 2019 CSI U.S. Open One-Pocket Championship. He also triumphed in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games Nine-Ball Doubles event and the 2013 Texas Open Nine-Ball Championship. Notably, he clinched the 2008 Manny Villar Cup Billiards Tournament, defeating Efren "Bata" Reyes in the finals.

Jose Parica is a legendary Filipino professional pool player from Manila, widely known by his nicknames “Amang” (meaning Father) and “The Giant Killer.” He is a Hall of Famer in the Philippines and internationally.

Parica is best known for spearheading the “Filipino invasion” of the American pool scene in the late 1970s, particularly in Nine-ball.

In his quest to secure better opportunities and recognition for Filipino billiard players, Jose Parica took a pioneering step by founding the Philippine Pocket Billiards Association in 1976, where he also served as its first president. This marked a crucial moment in the formal organization of the sport in the Philippines.

That same year, Parica began making waves internationally. He was invited to compete in the prestigious All Japan Championship, where he impressively finished second in the Rotation division, falling just short to Japanese cue artist Tetsuro Kakuto.

In 1978, Parica broke new ground as the first professional Filipino billiards player to compete in the United States, participating in the World Straight Pool Championship and finishing 11th — a strong showing for a debut on the world stage.

By 1979, Parica returned to the Philippines and asserted his dominance at home, capturing national titles in 3-Cushion, Rotation, and Snooker — a rare and remarkable triple crown that showcased his versatility and skill across multiple billiards disciplines.

In 1985, Jose Parica was joined by fellow Filipino legend Efren “Bata” Reyes in the United States, marking the beginning of what would later be known as the iconic "Filipino Invasion" — a period that reshaped the global pool scene through the dominance of Filipino cue artists.

But even before that, Parica had already etched his name into history. In 1982, he won the Playboy All-Around Classic, becoming the first male Asian player to win a professional pool event in the United States — a groundbreaking achievement for Asian representation in the sport. His success continued to build.

In 1986, Parica claimed titles at both the Clyde Childress Memorial 9-Ball Open and the Classic Cup V, further proving his consistency and elite level of play.

With a career tally of over 100 international tournament victories — spanning the United States, the Philippines, and Japan — Parica’s résumé stands as one of the most decorated in billiards history.

Chezka Centeno started playing billiards at the age of five, and her potential was discovered at eight when she competed in local tournaments in her family's hometown.

At age 11, she began participating in the Philippine National Games. A year later, she was invited to the Kremlin Cup in Russia, where she finished in the top 32.

In 2014, Centeno competed in the Asian Junior Championship and won first place in the girls' singles category.

The following year, she claimed the gold medal in the nine-ball women's singles at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, defeating fellow Filipina Rubilen Amit in the final.