Vietnam carom champ asks for pic with idol Efren 'Bata' Reyes after win

Post-game picture taking. Zeke Alonzo

Despite losing in the semifinals of the Southeast Asian Games carom competition on Friday, Efren "Bata" Reyes still had the respect of his Vietnamese foe.

The 65-year-old billiards legend bowed to Vietnam's Dinh Nai Ngo in the semifinals, 100-14, taking home the bronze medal.

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After the game, however, the Vietnamese champ asked for a picture with Reyes, who he described as his idol.

Before the match, Reyes vowed that he would try his best to beat the Vietnamese but he said that his skill level was no longer the same at his peak.

"Hindi ko na maitaas. Wala na 'yung magic ko ngayon. Hindi na ko pwede mag-mase, hindi na ako pwede mag-kaliwa, masakit na. Kaya 'yung mga dating tinitira ko na may magic, wala na. Hindi na gagana," he said.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online

Reyes, however, still has some of his old juice left as he beat Thailand's Thongchai Punyawee with a final score of 100-37 in the quarterfinals to qualify for the semis.

He said he was planning to undergo therapy after the SEA Games, saying he wanted to represent the Philippines as there was no other contenders available for the country. —JST, GMA News