EFREN “BATA” REYES finished third at 24th annual Derby City Classic One Pocket Tournament on Sunday—a feat that was enough to reiterate why he’s called the living legend of the sport even at 68 years old.
Reyes was in his vintage magical form by reaching the semifinals after beating fellow Filipino Alex Pagulayan, who’s been competing under the Canadian flag, 3-1.
Jonathan “Hennessee” Pinegar of Tennessee, however, foiled Reyes, 3-0, in the semifinals, sending the Filipino ace to the battle for third in the tournament played at the Caesar’s in Southern Indiana in the US.
He beat Skyler Woodward, 3-0, to capture third place and pocket the $4,000 cash prize.
A total of 468 of the world’s best vied in the tournament American Tony “T-Rex” Chohan won, 3-1, over Pinegar. He banked the champion’s prize of $16,000.
“It was such an honor to play the man deep in such a prestigious event. Efren has beaten a lot of very tough players in this event to get to this point,” Pagulayan said in his Instagram post. “At 68, the man has still has it folks.”
Reyes owns six One Pocket titles but has 13 overall Derby Classic crowns. The other Filipinos who have won the Derby Classics are Francisco “Django” Bustamante thrice, Pagulayan and Dennis Orcollo twice and Jose “Amang” Parica once.