Bata out to redeem self in Villar Cup

Efren “Bata” Reyes hopes to break out from a long slumber and add another feather to his legendary cap as he competes in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod Leg Nov. 13-16 at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City.

The 54-year-old pool legend has not won a title since ruling the Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky in January 2007, though he continues to be a major force to reckon with in every tournament.

“Medyo matagal-tagal na nga tayong hindi nagtsa-champion,” said Reyes, whose closest shot at winning a title this year was in the inaugural staging of the Villar Cup in May in Alabang, when he made it to the finals before losing to Warren Kiamco. He never made past the quarterfinals in succeeding legs of this island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and Camella Communities.

“Madami na kasing magagaling ngayon, lalo na ‘yung mga bata. Pero kaya pa naman nating makipagsabayan at tingin ko malaki pa rin ang tsansa ko, kailangan ko lang maging consistent, na siyang pipilitin kong gawin sa Bacolod,” added the former double world champion from Puyat Sports.

Reyes, however will have his hands full against fellow world-class countrymen and a bunch of rising Filipino stars, on top of a horde of topnotch foreign talents as this fifth edition of the Villar Cup was made an international event.

Eight foreigners, led by newly crowned Guinness 9-Ball Tour grand champion Yang Ching-shun of Chinese-Taipei, will compete for the title and the $15,000 top purse at stake in this four-day tournament organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy.

Besides Yang, other international players vying in this event, supported by the Bacolod Global Entertainment Marketing Services Corporation, Bugsy Promotions and Puyat Sports, are former world champion Wu Chia-ching, Wang Hung-hsiang and Chang Jung-lin of Chinese-Taipei, China topranked player Fu Jianbo, veteran internationalist Marcus Chamat of Sweden and Christian Johannessen of the Netherlands.

Joining Reyes are fellow former world titlists Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, along with reigning world No.1 Dennis Orcollo, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Lee Van Corteza, and previous Villar Cup leg winners Kiamco (Alabang), Gandy Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan) and Roberto Gomez (Davao).