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15-year-old boy beats Efren 'Bata' Reyes in billiards tourney


A 15-year-old boy from Antipolo, Rizal had the experience of a lifetime after beating his idol Efren "Bata" Reyes in the MassKara Billiards Tournament on Wednesday.

The two faced each other in the semifinals of the 10-ball race to eight, with young AJ Manas defeating "The Magician" with the score of 8-5.

In Mariz Umali's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, Manas said he felt the pressure when he played the billiards legend.

"S'yempre po ang dami pong nanonood, sobrang dami niya pong fans," he said.

("Of course there were many people watching, he has so many fans.")

Reyes, for his part, spoke highly of the teenager's potential in billiards.

"Panalo 'yung pocketing niya. 'Yung panghulog ng bata, ang galing. Mayroon na rin siyang mga position," he said.

"Ang tira ko naman ngayon, pawala na eh. 'Yung mga tinitira niyang pahulog, ako hindi ko na kaya 'yun eh. Magaling kahit malayo," he added.

("His pocketing is a winner. He is very good. He also has the positions. My shot is not as good now. The shots he does, I can't do them anymore. He's good even when it's far.")

He also invited Manas to his training center.

"Puwede siyang mag-training dun para mag-ano siya dun, makasama sa team namin," he said.

("He can train there so he can join our team.")

Manas said he was very happy for the opportunity to play with Reyes.

"Nagpapasalamat dahil nakalaro ko po siya sa tournament na 'to at sana po maturuan niya po ako ng mga tira na hindi ko pa po alam," he said.

("I am thankful that I was able to play him in this tournament and I hope he can teach me more shots that I don't know.")

He also expressed his gratitude to Reyes for the example he set to young people like him.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyo dahil may mga kabataan pong gumagaya po sa inyo dahil sa mga nakuha n'yong achievements sa iba't ibang bansa sa larangan ng billiards," he said.

"Kaya nagpupursige po kami na maging kagaya po ninyo."

("Thank you because there are many people who wants to copy you because of your achievements in various countries in the field of billiards. That is why we strive to follow your footsteps.")

—MGP, GMA News