Efren Reyes, also known as "Bata," is considered one of the greatest professional pool players of all time. His remarkable skills and numerous achievements have solidified his status as a legend in the world of pool.
One of the most unforgettable matches in his career was against the renowned player Mike "Captain Hook" Sigel during the grand final round of the 2005 International Pool Tour King of the Hill Championship.
This match, consisting of 2-3 sets, showcased Reyes' exceptional talent as he achieved a flawless victory in the first set with a score of 8-0, leaving Sigel humiliated.
Despite Reyes' perfect score in the first set, it is important to note that Sigel had his fair share of opportunities to make his mark in the match. Both players took turns shooting the cue ball in every rack, but Reyes consistently outperformed Sigel, ultimately securing a flawless victory in the first set.
Let's delve into the details of the match to understand how Reyes achieved this remarkable feat.
First Rack:
In the first rack, Efren "Bata" Reyes had the opportunity to take the break shot after winning the lag. He successfully pocketed one solid ball in the 8-Ball game, setting the stage for his dominance in the rack.
Reyes continued to pocket solid balls until he encountered a slight setback while attempting to pocket the 6th solid ball. This allowed Mike "Captain Hook" Sigel to take his turn and aim for pocketing all 7 striped balls. Unfortunately, Sigel only managed to pocket one ball before faltering in his second shot. Seizing the opportunity, Reyes capitalized on Sigel's miss and skillfully pocketed the remaining solid balls, ultimately winning the first rack.
Second Rack:
Having secured victory in the first rack, Efren "Bata" Reyes once again had the chance to take the break shot in the second rack. However, he faced initial difficulty as he failed to pocket any balls in the break shot, giving Mike "Captain Hook" Sigel an opening to showcase his prowess.
Sigel impressively pocketed all 7 solid balls, leaving only the 8-ball on the table. Unfortunately for Sigel, he faltered in his attempt to pocket the 8-ball, paving the way for Reyes to stage a comeback. Despite facing a challenging position, Reyes exhibited exceptional skill and composure as he successfully pocketed all 7 striped balls and the 8-ball, securing victory in the second rack as well.
Third Rack:
In the third rack, Efren "Bata" Reyes took a break shot and managed to pocket one striped ball. He continued to skillfully pocket the remaining striped balls until he seized the opportunity to pocket the 8-ball, leaving Mike "Captain Hook" Sigel sidelined for the entire rack.
Fourth Rack:
Similar to the third rack, Efren Reyes took a break shot in the fourth rack and pocketed a solid ball. He proceeded to pocket the remaining solid balls one by one until he once again had the chance to pocket the 8-ball, securing victory in the fourth rack. Meanwhile, Mike Sigel remained seated throughout the entire rack.
Fifth Rack:
Efren Reyes took the break shot in the fifth rack but failed to pocket any balls. This gave Mike Sigel an opportunity to return to the pool table from his previous position. However, Sigel also struggled as he failed to pocket a solid ball he was aiming for, allowing Reyes to take control once again. With neither player having pocketed any balls, Reyes strategically chose to pocket the solid balls and successfully cleared the table, including the 8-ball, thus winning the fifth rack.
Sixth Rack:
The sixth rack commenced with Efren Reyes taking a break shot and pocketing a solid ball. He continued his impressive performance by skillfully pocketing each solid ball one by one. Notably, Reyes even executed a combination shot while pocketing the fourth solid ball, earning applause from the audience. With unwavering focus and precision, he proceeded to pocket all remaining solid balls and ultimately secured victory in the sixth rack. Once again, Mike Sigel found himself confined to his chair throughout the entire rack.
Efren "Bata" Reyes' flawless victory against Mike "Captain Hook" Sigel in the first set of the 2005 International Pool Tour King of the Hill Championship stands as a testament to his extraordinary talent and skill in the world of professional pool. This match serves as a defining moment in Reyes' illustrious career and further cements his legacy as one of the greatest pool players of all time.
