Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes unsure about SEAG return after medal streak comes to an end in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH — Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes is uncertain whether he will return to compete in the Southeast Asian Games after seeing his medal streak come to an end on Tuesday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The legendary Filipino cue artist suffered a 40-15 loss to Cambodia's Woo Donghoon in the round of 16 of the men’s three cushion carom singles to bow out early of the tournament.

The early defeat also saw Reyes’ medal streak get halted as he had won medals in the biennial meet since the 2019 edition in Manila. The last time he didn’t medal in the SEAG was in 2017.

“Hindi ko alam,” said the 68-year-old icon when asked about the possibility of him competing again in SEA Games.

("I don't know.")

Reyes said it was the first time he faced the Cambodian bet, who has a Korean lineage and is among the host country’s naturalized players in the ongoing regional meet.

“Akala ko nung una kayang-kaya ko,” he shared. “Hindi, first time ko lang makalaban ‘tong Cambodia.”

("I thought I could do it easily at first. But no, this was the first time I'm facing this player from Cambodia.")

But Reyes said he’s ready to give way to younger players in the national team.

“Hindi ko alam pero basta may players na kami na maglalaro ng karambola, papapalit na ako.”

("I don't know but as long as we have players ready to play in the carom, then I can switch out.")

—JMB, GMA Integrated News