Efren “Bata” Reyes completed a double victory for the Filipino legends by defeating Ralf Souquet in their WNT Legends matchup.
It’s a double victory for the Filipino pool legends at Day 1 of the WNT Legends.
Efren “Bata” Reyes followed up Francisco “Django” Bustamante’s earlier win by defeating Germany’s Ralf Souquet, 11–8, in a race-to-11 showdown at the Gateway Mall in Quezon City on Wednesday, January 21.
Reyes, widely regarded as the “Greatest of All Time” in the world of billiards, got off to a steady start, taking an early 2–0 lead before Souquet fought back to level the match at 2–2 and again at 3–3.
The two veterans traded racks through the middle stages, with neither able to create a clear separation as the score remained tight.
The turning point came midway through the contest, when Reyes strung together a run to move ahead 7–4. Souquet made one last push, trimming the gap to 7–6 and later forcing another tie at 8–8, but Reyes responded with poise down the stretch.
“The Magician” closed out the match by winning the final three racks, sealing the 11–8 victory and completing a perfect opening day for the Filipino legends at the WNT Legends event.
Reyes returns tomorrow, January 21, as he faces his rival, Earl “The Pearl” Strickland. Souquet, meanwhile, will face Bustamante for a shot at a Finals berth in the short tournament.
[ALSO READ: WNT Legends: Where Greatness Collides—Everything you need to know]
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.