Davao City — Efren “Bata” Reyes had to dig deep into his bag of tricks to defeat Jomar de Ocampo, 10-7, Sunday to reach the final of the Manny Villar Cup Kadayawan Leg at the jampacked activity area of NCCC Mall here.

The 55-year-old Magician will take on former leg winner Ramil Gallego for the P300,000 top prize at stake in this prestigious island-hopping series presented by Senator Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports.

Gallego, the Villar Cup Bulacan leg titlist, subdued Cebu leg champion Gandy Valle, 10-4, in the other semifinal match.

“Ang hirap talagang manalo dito sa Villar Cup, lahat kasi ng kasali magagaling at lalo ‘yung mga bata na kagaya ni Jomar na lalo pang gumagaling dahil sa tuluy-tuloy na pa-tournament ni Senador Manny,” said Reyes.

It marked the second time Reyes reached the final of the Camella Communities-sponsored series. He lost to Warren Kiamco during the inaugural leg at StarMall in Alabang last year.

De Ocampo, a 20-year-old pride of Alaminos, Pangasinan, won the lag, but it was Reyes who took the first two racks.

After De Ocampo tied it, 2-all, Reyes pocketed two straight racks to restore the lead he didn’t relinquish.

“Hindi ako magugulat kung balang araw magiging champion din ‘yang batang ‘yan. Basta kailangan lang n’yang magsipag at tyaga, gaya nga ng sinasabi ni Senador Manny,” said Reyes of De Ocampo.