Efren “Bata” Reyes gets back at Wu

MANILA, Philippines—Pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes capped a resurgent finish for the year in top form.

Avenging a previous loss, Reyes downed China’s new star Wu Jia Qiang, 9-6, to rule the final duel of the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face Off Series late Friday at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City.

“Luck played a part in my victory,” Reyes said in Filipino after slipping past Wu, who at 22, is over 30 years his junior.

“Wu is a very tough opponent and I really had a hard time beating him.”

Reyes, who pocketed the $5,000 cash prize, lost to Wu just three months earlier in the quarterfinal round of the 11th Predator International 10-Ball Championship at Robinsons Galleria  in Ortigas.

“I hope to play with him again,” said  the 57-year-old Reyes, the 2004 WPA World 8-Ball Champion and 1999 WPA World 9-ball Champion.

“It’s really exciting to go up against one of the world’s best cue artists,”  added Reyes, who was in the limelight again last month when he teamed up with Rubilen Amit to win the world mixed doubles championship.

Wu, who earned a runner-up prize of $2,500, played as Wu Chia-ching while representing Chinese Taipei before  opting to change his citizenship. Like Reyes, he won the WPA 9-ball and 8-ball titles, pulling off the feat in 2005.

The series is a joint undertaking of Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp using a 10-ball  race-to-9, winner’s break format.

The event will resume on Feb. 18 with a new format, the tournament’s organizing committee said.  Among the matches lined up will pit the Philippines versus The Rest of Asia; Asia versus Europe; and East versus West.

Other Filipino pool stars who saw action in the series  include World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, Ronato Alcano, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Lee Vann Corteza, Roberto Gomez and Carlo Biado.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei pool stars Ko Pin-yi and 2011 Beijing Open Chang Jung-lin  have signed up with Bugsy Promotions, the billiards stable owned by Ceferino “Perry” Mariano.