EFREN "BATA" REYES

DAVAO CITY — Efren “Bata” Reyes captured The Manny Villar Cup Kadayawan leg Sunday to end a long title-drought in billiards.

Reyes won the title in grand fashion as he recovered from a slow start to beat Ramil Gallego, 11-5, in showdown watched by a big crowd at the activity area of NCCC Mall here.

It was Reyes’ first major title in almost three years, and it proved that at age 55, the man regarded as the all-time best billiards player in the planet remains a force to reckon with in the sport.

“Masayang-masaya ako at sa wakas nakuha ko rin itong Villar Cup, at iniaalay ko itong tagumpay kong ito kay Senator Manny Villar bilang pasasalamat sa kanyang walang sawang pagtulong sa bilyar,” said Reyes.

Playing in his first Villar Cup finals for the first time since losing to Warren Kiamco in the series’ inaugural leg in Alabang in May of 2008, Reyes had a slow start, committing a couple of miscues that allowed Gallego to race to a 5-2 lead.

But not wanting to disappoint some 3,000 fans rooting for him, Reyes returned from a brief break with the touch that brought him countless honors.

He also got a huge break when Gallego, a four-time Villar Cup finalist and the Bulacan leg champion, scratched on his shot at the money-ball in the 11th rack, which gave Reyes his first lead at 6-5.

That proved to be the turning point as Reyes won the next five racks to wrap up the victory and celebrate his first championship since ruling the Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky in January 2007.

“Naway makapagbigay ng inspirasyon ang pagkapanalo kong ito sa lahat ng mga bilyaristang nagnanais sumunod sa aming yapak at maging daan ito sa pagsuporta ng buong bansa sa mga susunod naming kampanya, lalo na sa darating na SEA Games,” said Reyes.

Senator Villar awarded the trophy and the P300,000 top prize at stake in the three-day tournament sponsored by Camella Communities. Gallego settled for P120,000.