RARE EFREN "BATA" REYES INTERVIEW with Mark Wilson at the 2020 Derby City Classic 

Agreed.

I agree! 😍

And how did you conclude that pool is an American sport?

Almost?

@@ABUMOFREHF true its Americanized but its a French sport from the 1700s

They are horrible in making documentaries.

documentary is ok, but i don't want Netflix to make movie ab him, probably they will make black Efren the main character.

I agree with you.. Because of Efren I love the pool game and billiards

He can tell good stories in native language and can explain well. Theres some limitations in this interview but i am happy he still can atleast throw his points about the question :)

He tell his story on the table specially on the crucial impossible shots!!!

They should have hired a translator...

He plays almost every cue sport and in his spare time, he plays chess, another game of precision and probability, a mind game that is why Efren plays almost perfect and magical..

That was insane but that’s just a small piece of his legacy! Lots of games and titles and humanitarian efforts on his behalf as well, such a great human being as well! A living Legend

I'm sorry Mam but EVERYBODY gets Old! Smdh

Efren played some shots later in years better than the Z shots he won with Strickland!

SVB is getting old, but the goat got at least 20 more years of professional play gaining titles.

He still plays to this day !

Theyre friends for decades thats why efren is comfortable talking to him, he knew what efren trying to say and explained it

Why he still can't speak English he's lived the USA since 1980s? This is an issue for me, I firmly believe we should force immigrant people to speak English

@@___Anakin.Skywalker he dont live in the US

I wanted to take a moment to address some misconceptions and share a perspective that celebrates Efren's efforts rather than criticizing him. Firstly, it's crucial to recognize that language acquisition is a complex process that varies from person to person. Even after living in a foreign country for an extended period, individuals may have different levels of proficiency in the local language. In the case of Efren Reyes, your statement about him living in the United States since 1981 is incorrect. Efren actually resides in the Philippines and has never lived in the US. This clarifies the misunderstanding surrounding his language skills. Secondly, Efren spoke English throughout the interview , albeit with some difficulty in articulating his thoughts. Despite any imperfections in his grammar or delivery, it's noteworthy that he made the attempt to communicate in a language foreign to him without using an interpreter. It's worth considering that not all immigrants prioritize learning the English language, Efren's initiative to communicate in English should be seen as a positive example, inspiring others to embrace the language of their adopted country. Learning a new language requires dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of practice. Efren's willingness to engage in this journey deserves appreciation rather than criticism. By attempting to communicate in English, he demonstrates respect for the language and the culture associated with it.

He is no immigrant. He has been playing around the world, not only in the U.S. And he lives in Manila. No need to be fluent in English. @@___Anakin.Skywalker

Well said.

@@ugaugauga488 u

Supposed to be he has the interpreter before his interview so could expain very whell ...

The only English that matters to Bata is the one came from his cue tip.

No wonder he had lucid dreaming playing pool hes like a revolutionary scientist

Efren studied in school as a kid to his early teens, had english lessons in all schools there but he did not do well in classes because he always played billards after classes till the wee hours in the morning so he is sleepy in his school classes..

@@llltrac9143 Best comment!

❤

Nope, no you didnt, you were just super destroyed, thanks for being honest and not lie next time, we all know efren has not lost once in his life, and you do not got to sleep thinking that u did break and ran a 9 ball game versus him you are delusional. Jesus get help srsly fam

in the 80s they are looking for players who will bet a lot of money..coz back then efren is being handled by managers an financer to do gambling..they ran out necause they knew they cant get money out of that game.

I would put it michael jordan is efren reyes of pool & billard

Michael Jordan is Efren Reyes of Basketball

Efren > Jordan

Shane Van Boening is tons better than Strickland. Strickland was a great national champion in the 1980s and 1990s, but he never had hard competition, until Efren came.

@@SlickRick4EVER Well said!

Strickland's rudeness totally erases whatever his achievements have been! At one time he said that he lost because luck was on Efren's side. Efren can joke about luck but in reality, he plans 3-4 steps ahead of the game, much like in Chess.

I remember in one interview he asked after a won match that it could have been his best version, or something like that. Then Efren responded and said he was much better when he was younger,... the interviewer was lost for words for a moment and thought Efren was kidding. When i watched that interview, i also thought he must be joking, now this interview proves he was serious. Omg, so the world was actually deprived of seeing the true peak form of the Magician. Greatness!!!

@timothybolshaw - I believe that he said it was 1972 - 76. Legend has it (when he was at his prime) that once Efren saw the 1, it was game over. Although the tables back then were a bit forgiving, his ability was far from that.

@@SlickRick4EVER there is also a story from one of the old guy from our neighborhood who happened to be a college student wherein his school is near the billiard hall where efren usually played money game. They had invented a game (handicap) in a rotation which is design for efren where he is only allowed to shoot one at a time!! meaning after efren take his shot, regardless if efren pocket the ball or not, his opponent will take his shot and so on. So, efren needs to pocket the ball and at the same time think of a way to cover the white ball from the next ball and still efren didn't lose a match. Imagine if this is true, how good efren was, back then?

@@jongmacinas2580 It's a postmatch interview between him and Billy Incardona... In there he said he was better in the 70s...Just search "Incardona Reyes"

@@calebgabrielmerilles8732 - a certain gentleman by the name of Ric Juliano has told me about this, as well! Someone makeshift a game where Efren could only shoot one shot on his turn and, regardless whether it was made or not, the opponent took the next turn. Well, Bata made the shot but always left the next player without a shot... all the time.

1973 - 1976. Also, the Carom Billiard games he was into (Balkline and One-Cushion) are FAR from being called "obscure", let's get that straight. Also, bare something in mind: Efren's position play was extremely precise that once he sees the 1-ball, throughout all the obstacle of balls he went through, he ran out... EVERY...TIME. So, think about that, real carefully.

Exactly, and more than once. You're so right.

He was even Disqualified 2x in the USA tournament because he was so GOOD. There was an interview with him about it.

he reaps what he sows... good to know... he left a legacy for for your family

Love the Philippine people - the most humble loving and caring people. A Philippine lady that attended our Church became my daughters Godmother - these people were the sweetest and most caring people I’ve ever met. As far as Efren- he is the greatest 9 Ball player ever and a gift to the world in watching him play pool in a dimension not ever seen before. GOAT❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I know this comment is 2 years old, but what a GREAT comment and an endearing father you must've had. ❤ I agree, there's something endearing, sweet and humble about Efren, and tbh, about many of the Philippines people I know, and I'm sure your father is looking down very Happy and proud of you. 👍❤

He do understand. He went to school in the Philippines, English is taught in schools but the problem is he never did well in school because he played billards after classes until early mornings so he sleep in his classes. He said this in his interview in CNN Philippines

👌👌👌

Hi Jerry, can you please share the links to those vidoes of Hong Kong Earl match?

@@aaloksharma08 the match was called Color of Money. Prize is for $100000. I think it was a 3 day match race to 120. It was more than 13 hours of match.

@@sophiecepeda9744 thanks Sophie (y)

Indeed, the GOAT.

Hollywood Scent YES!!! Me too my friend!! 😊👍

No denying that he is a great player but Luther Lassiter was a great all around player and Eddie Taylor also now with that being said the last two mentioned had to wear a dadblame tuxedo when they played think about it playin in a tuxedo

The GOAT

Where is that( truthsayer) guy, i guess its better he continue here your argument... Hahaha

Agree!

Yes yes

He said when the ball was difficult they didn't know what to do. I think he means if a particular ball was in a difficult spot such as tied up in a cluster or hard to get position on for example. Also he could make a multiple rail kick and play a return safety which American players had not seen before as Mark Wilson mentioned at one point.

Believe me, I would, too. Efren **rarely** missed... in Filipino Rotation.

@@SlickRick4EVER boggles my mind man

@@derrickallen2054 - ... there are eyewitness accounts from Filipino people who have seen Efren play between 1972-1976 that said that (and as Mark would mention here) when Efren sees the one ball, game over... hands down. There is also other story where Efren played this other player (Boy Quiapo, I believe) who called out Efren. The deal was that this man wanted a huge handicap against Efren (basically, Efren must run all the balls in Rotation) that if he (Quiapo) lost, he will never pick up a cue in his life again. Well, the man Efren challenged never won a game. Imagine that...

@@SlickRick4EVER that's crazy man LOL!

@@SlickRick4EVER It's me again... the guy is Junior Quiapo. He was a well respected player in Lucky 13, and stories I've learned that Junior was formerly the No. 1 ranked player in the Philippines before Amang Parica took over. So he is not a push over, but that time Efren gave him 46 or 45, just like what Mark Wilson mentioned in the video. That was a big time money game, and for the first time I've witness when Efren has an open shot, just shooting the 1 ball, the crowd started saying.. those who understand, better pay now...it's game over. And just like what they said Efren would run out. That's one of the moment I can't forget, Efren at his very best. But that particular time period, Efren is ranked only No. 2 behind Amang Parica the No. 1. I've never seen Parica play that time, but I learned he give Efren +10 whenever they play. One time a friend of mine informed me about a scheduled match between Parica and Efren in Lucky 13, late in the evening around 7 pm. We tried to catch it, and when we got there, there's a huge crowd surrounding the pool table and there's no way we can view anywhere is crowded. But by the time we got there it's almost game over. The crowd were leaving, the story, Efren loss 2 consecutive big money game then give up, he doesn't feel his magic touch so will play again some other time. Upon knowing that Parica is the better player that time, it didn't change my belief. I still believe that Efren will end up as the best player between the two. You know why, Efren's ability and talent has unlimited possibilities in my view, and indeed he ends up as "The Magician".

😂🤣 He is the most Humble GOAT. 🎱🥇🏆

Yes, 100%.

Efren when he was a kid was being beaten by his father for playing pool because his father wanted him to finish his studies in elementary school (note: the connotation at that time iwas that playing pool is gambling). He just doesn't want to see his kid in a pool table. When Efren started making a lot of money from hustling in different places in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, that's when they thought that they can't force Efren to stop playing.