Philippines Pride

Efren Reyes requires no introduction to any fan of the game today. The winner of more major events than can possibly be named here, a member of the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame and known as possibly the greatest 9-ball player alive today.

A native of the Philipines, Efren Reyes first introduced himself to the US pool scene by showing up for the 1985 Red' s 9-Ball, an imposing field of many of the best players of the time, which he blitzed through under the temporary pseudonm Cesar Morales. Not yet aquainted with One Pocket, Reyes was conspicuously absent from the One Pocket event that immediately followed (won by Grady Mathews). However, Reyes quickly found the game very much to his liking after spending some extended visits to the Chicago area, including time with One Pocket sage Freddy Bentivegna, and to Philadelphia, where he developed a long-lasting friendship with his state-side advisor, Mike LeBron.

Often called the 'Magician' because of his knack for delivering impossible looking shots in key game situations, Reyes certainly displays an uncanny imagination, drawing on his solid background in a variety of cue disciplines, including Rotation and Billiards. He may have been late discovering One Pocket, yet the game is clearly tailor made for his unique combination of talent and creativity.

As a tournament player, Efren has won six major One Pocket events, including topping the huge and talented fields at the Derby City Classic all five times he has entered:

• 1999 Derby City Classic One Pocket
• 2000 US Open One Pocket
• 2004 Derby City Classic One Pocket
• 2005 Derby City Classic One Pocket
• 2006 Derby City Classic One Pocket
• 2007 Derby City Classic One Pocket