Palace to bestow award on Bata

President Arroyo yesterday congratulated Efren "Bata" Reyes for his victory in the IPT World 8-ball Championship in Reno, Nevada, saying his triumph once again proved that Filipinos are indeed "world class."

At the same time, Malacañang said Reyes, who bested the finest players in the world to bag the richest purse in pool history ($500,000), might also receive the "Champion for Life" award for his achievements in his sport.

"His triumph comes at a time when we are halfway around the world trying to win over other countries to take a second look at the Philippines and what the Filipinos can do," Mrs. Arroyo, who is on a trip abroad, said.

Reyes arrived yesterday morning without much fanfare and is set to leave today, along with buddy Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Rodolfo Luat, for Jakarta for the fourth and final leg of the San Miguel Asian 9-ball Tour where the Filipinos are eyeing a rare sweep of the circuit.

"Once again, congratulations Efren. You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph," the Chief Executive added.

The Champion for Life award is given to Filipino achievers in sports and similar fields of competition "that foster extraordinary national pride and inspiration toward excellence."

People’s boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, Miss International Precious Lara Quigama, the SEA Games gold medalists and the Mt. Everest conquerors are the early recipients of the award.

Mrs. Arroyo announced the additional rank of "Champion for Life" (Kampeon Habang Buhay) to the Order of Lakandula award on the eve of Pacquiao’s fight with Mexican Oscar Larios last July 2.

The President said achievers like him must be feted like the national artists and scientists.

Meanwhile, billiards patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat said Reyes is committed to play in the IPT King of the Hill Invitational Shootout in Las Vegas in December, thus keeping him out of the Asian Games slated in the same week of the IPT event.

There had been clamors for the 52-year-old pool legend to reconsider his earlier decision not to suit up for the RP team in the Asiad following his victory in Nevada.

"Efren was invited there by IPT officials, and being the reigning champion, he is required to defend his title," said Puyat, the long-time benefactor of Reyes.

Reyes beat Mike Sigel to win last year’s IPT King of the Hill crown worth $200,000.

The King of the Hill is set Dec. 12-17 at the Wynn Hotel.

Another Puyat ward, Bustamante, also didn’t commit to play for Team Philippines in the Dec. 1-15 quadrennial meet due to recurring back and elbow injuries.

"Django always takes anti-inflammatory shots every time he plays," Puyat said.

Bustamante was the other half of the team — the other being Antonio Lining — that won the gold medal in the 9-ball doubles in the last Asiad in Busan, South Korea four years ago.

The Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), the association in-charge of the sport in the country, said despite the absence of Reyes and Bustamante, the Philippines remains a force to reckon with in the Asian Games.