Efren "Bata" Reyes blames struggle to poor eyesight

Source: Manila Bulletin
Retiring is far from billiards icon Efren “Bata” Reyes’ mind, but he said that day is probably near if his eyesight continues to deteriorate.

“Kung may salamin na ako, that’s the time na hihinto na ako,” said the durable star from Angeles City. “Mag-iiba na ang tira at pulso mo kapag may salamin ka na kasi nakatungo na ang ulo mo.”

At 56, Reyes said he still has the competitive fire and the passion to play at a high level although his failing eyesight has reduced his tricks.

“Ang dunong ko sa laro anduon pa rin, nasa ulo ko pa rin kaso hindi ko na rin magawa ang lahat dahil sa eyesight ko,” said Reyes before receiving another award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association Monday night at the Manila Hotel.

“Iba na ngayon,” admitted Reyes who has won the PSA Athlete of the Year Award three times. “Dati isang tingin ko lang sa table alam ko na ang gagawin ko, alam ko na kaagad ang combination at kung anong tira ang gagawin ko.”

He said he now needs a longer time to take his shots since he has to look at the table many times over to prepare for the following shots.

To illustrate his problem with his eyesight, Bata showed his difficulty reading text messages from his cell phone during the brief interview.

“Kita mo ngayon, medyo hirap na akong bumasa,” he said while trying to decipher the messages.

He blamed the long hours of playing – sometimes until the wee hours – for the deterioration of his eyesight which he said he noticed about four years ago.

He underwent a laser operation to improve his vision but it was just not enough.

“Malaki nawala sa galing ko dahil nga problema sa mata ko. Kaya ngayon bawas na sa puyat para kung may tournament di ka mahihirapan,” said Reyes.

Reyes recalled that people began to notice his extraordinary pool skills in the early 70s.’

“Noong 1973, yun talaga ang kalakasan ko, although ang alam naming tournament noon ay yung pakanto-kanto lang. Wala pa sa isip ko ang World 9-Ball or 8-Ball championships noon,” he said.

After decades of playing at the highest level, Reyes said is happy and contented with his life no matter what happens to his game on Thursday.

Though he has won practically the biggest prizes the sport can offer, he feels his most important achievement is having made billiards one of the most popular sports in the country.

With thousands of adherents and many Filipino world class players, Bata still believes none has replicated his style and stroke, not to mention achieve his folksy demeanor.

“Maraming magagaling diyan, nagagaya nila ang tira ko pero hindi sila consistent. Nakakalimutan din nila ang stroke at style,” he said.