Efren Reyes, Filipino billiards legend. (Photo: VNA)

An article titled “Efren 'Bata' Reyes gets rock-star treatment in Vietnam” on Philippines sports website spin.ph said Reyes beat Thailand’s Suriya Suwannasingh and secured at least a bronze medal to the delight of an animated Vietnamese crowd who packed the venue just to see the Filipino pool legend in action.
Reyes was mobbed by Vietnamese billiards fans outside the venue who wanted a selfie, autograph, or just to see the billiards legend in the flesh, the article said.
In an interview with Vietnamese media, Reyes shared the reason he is competing in the men’s one-cushion and three-cushion carom singles at SEA Games 31 even though his forte is snooker. Most of the carom players in the Philippines have died.  Few young players like the carom event.
Reyes said he highly respected his Vietnamese opponents at SEA Games 31.
During his career, the Filipino legend has won more than 70 international titles and was the first player to win a world title in two different events.