1994 US Open Semi Final: Tony Ellin Vs Efren Reyes

[@80sragamuffin]

Who else is watching 1994 game in 2024 ?

[@BlackjackDSapolis]

I played in this tournament - lol -

[@fajrihidayatullah-sv9cl]

me😂

[@NicolAeBartolomeo]

Me... and I'm loving the advertising... mighty 90's

[@Ithaneba_nathi]

🙋‍♂️here.

[@imeenomaguchi8672]

me 😊

[@timbuktu5505]

Don't ever apologize for converting a VHS video from 1994. You are a "magician", well Reyes is anyway. The old commercials are a trip. Great Job.

[@ariel-lf4mk]

O

[@loriw2661]

It never ceases to amaze me that announcers know these players, have their names right in front of them, yet still say “Ef-rum” rather than “Ef-ren”. I wish ESPN still televised pool (or any network). So happy for the internet!! David: Not to worry about quality. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to see this match! Thank you!!!!

[@amysainz9737]

don't apologize for posting this treasure in whatever condition

[@leviwilson3544]

Just learned of this living legend, and cannot get enough of watching his nearly perfect, and flawless command of the que ball. Every pool enthusiast on this planet should take the time to watch what this man does. Wishing him many more years of doing what he loves!!!

[@mikeserrano734]

Hahaha so your binge watching the Legend now.

[@mef12727]

Wow man you've been missing out. Where have you been? Unless you don't really watch pool events

[@timsmith1687]

Yea dude efren is the goat, if you watch earl Strickland give the speech at efrens farewell tour, you will see him eat his pride, take the mic back, and admit that efren Reyes is the best to ever play the game.

[@estrelitachua691]

@@timsmith1687 jg

[@Daputaka]

Bro, just a slight history of how great he is, pls check this link. Be sure you expand the page (there's a dropdown arrow on the upper right hand corner). groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/soc.culture.filipino/35ZoYvq-NSU

[@bensmith1383]

Despite the video/audio problems, it was a pleasure watching this. Thanks for taking the time to convert and upload.

[@OscarGonzalez-vg3cp]

We don't watch many pool games on TV. ,but thanks to KZbin, we can . Thanks, this channel for good memories of great players.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Allen Hopkins provides the best technical commentary. There is nobody better.

[@ericmowrey6872]

A huge thank you sir for going through the (technical) trouble of posting this early '90's 9-ball gold. It was awesome to watch.

[@josephlee4337]

Mr. Sapolis, can't thank you enough for uploading this rare gem for people to enjoy. And the little screen jumps mean absolutely nothing to get to see Efren plays in his early years.

[@raylarkin5004]

I smile when announces are always seeing what they think he should have done. For years they said he was lucky until his skill vould not be explained away as luck now longer. Especially his zig zag shots! There is only one reason he is called the magician, because he is so incredibly table wise. 👍

[@Amtcboy]

I recall watching one game where the commentators were rather old compared to the ones I see on ESPN etc. And they were kinda “belittling” (can’t think of a kinder word) Efren, and trying to predict what he was going to do. And about 90% of their predictions was wrong.

[@seaglin]

Thank you David for sharing this. I met Tony Ellin in Myrtle Beach one night at the Brass Rack. No action for him there that night but I remember what a down-to-earth guy he was as he spoke with myself and my friends. Watched him shoot a shot and just had my eyes on the cue shaft and observed how straight and smooth that stroke looked. Learned something that night. God rest his beautiful soul. Love Effren too.

[@michaelbailey1578]

Again, no need to apologize. Thank you for your efforts.

[@u.s.s.steamroller990]

The Magician is a living legend. We salute ya!

[@Drake-0-99]

The old school ads were kinda satisfying lol

[@ReddBen88]

Just stumbled across this , thank you for putting this out !

[@BlackjackDSapolis]

If this is an accu-stats video, then I will remove it. However, I recorded this from ESPN in 1994 and I have had it ever since.

[@eyalvered5762]

Seriously you said that you're sorry for making conversion 20 years old?! We should all say thank you so much for doing it for free 👌🏽🙏🏽❤️

[@HarrisBrenEscabarte]

They should really make a biographical movie of Efren.

[@mikeserrano734]

Hollywood make that movie! 🎥 🎱

[@lifeisgood2542]

no. let philippines make that movie

[@mikeserrano734]

@@lifeisgood2542 Hollywood nga para worldwide!

[@ralphjayguevarra5635]

@@lifeisgood2542 oo worldwide dude

[@mikeserrano734]

Also an Efren Reyes Cup!

[@UDEMF]

its pure gold, you dont have to apologize for the quality, thanks for sharing

[@RudyB-ti8ye]

Efren easily the best pool player of all time. Plus he is a nice humble guy. Great combination.

[@TheAudiophile81]

And he always says he was lucky lol...

[@itz_loraine2615]

@@TheAudiophile81 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

[@semi5alpha]

The humble part doesn't matter.. Even if he's cocky as long as he's good..

[@bennymalicdem2476]

@@TheAudiophile81 %

[@ricj6817]

I've been a long time follower of Efren. Wayback in my college days in Manila, I used to go to "Lucky 13" and would spent the whole day there just to see Efren play billiards; that's the place where he lives, owned by his uncle. But then you seldom see him play 'coz nobody wanted to play him for money anymore. That was his early 20's and believe me Efren plays awesome and flawless billiards at that time. Time and again he can really do those magical shots were he become famous for. Really scary!

[@gerryllano9067]

I used to play there also..lucky 13 was the home of the hustlers..im a true blooded manileño and iknew all the hustlers way back then.

[@garry1220able]

i used to visit and play at Lucky 13 and after a couple beers and billiard games, the other floor is the bar-showtime every night where pretty ladies show their 'wares'...

[@stills4557]

All us wannabe player knew him when we were still in high school in the early seventies as a hustler. We also played at lucky 13 hoping to catch a glimpse of his game when we were in college, unfortunately; we can only stay for a few hours at a time in the afternoon and almost always saw Chiquito instead.

[@ricj6817]

@@stills4557 so true...Chiquito plays karambola always, but was no match to Efren. Efren is the best in karambola too. Just like what you said, very seldom to see Efren playing there. The reason why I learn to visit Lucky 13, because of so many names being mentioned as hustlers in billiards, I become so interested to find out who really is the best. I learned that most of these hustlers hang out in City Billiards and Lucky 13 so I find those billiard halls and try my luck. My first visit to Lucky 13, by the way this place was notorious for gambling so minors are not allowed. I'm still a minor but I'm wearing moustache so I was able to get in there. As you mentioned, small time showbiz personalities hangs out here in Lucky 13 to gamble like Chiquito, Pepot, Larry Silva and more. Boy Abe was one of the first player that impressed me and found out later that he is the son of the owner they called Abe. His brother Lando is also good, and later on as I keep visiting the place I become familiar with some of the players and Efren finally enters the scene. The first time I saw Efren played, there was this big crowd around the table. I didn't know that was Efren because I'm just getting to know them one at a time. If Boy Abe and Lando were among my early prospects who can play well, when I saw Efren I was so impress that I easily remove Boy and Lando in my list. I found out that Efren was the cousin of Boy and Lando, and he lives in the billiard hall Lucky 13, so he sleep under those billiard tables I was told. I recall one Sunday when me and a friend escape in ROTC class, and were both addicted and still learning to play billiards. I made the decision that we go to Lucky 13, that's Sunday, and when we got still early past 9 am. The billiard hall was almost empty, I mean nobody was playing and no people hanging around like when I go there on weekdays. The reason I found out, during weekend those gamblers who hang out in Lucky 13, go to the racetrack instead. As I've said nobody was playing except this one skinny guy who was playing rotation by himself and he was good. We have no idea that it was Efren. And that was one piece of evidence as to why he was able to play so good. He mastered the billiard table at the same time the karambola tables too, that he can use every inch of the table the way he want to, depending on what he wants to do. Efren is the genius of billiards. He introduced the very useful safety when he played in international tournament. Most of the Americans doesn't know how to play safety wisely that's why when they saw Efren doing it, and some other impossible and unbelievable shots, they called The Magician. Efren is the master of safety and he can easily use that to win so many tournaments. With his talent in karambola, when incorporate with what ever game like 9 balls, 8 balls give him a tremendous advantage than any other player. Given any position in a billiard table, Efren can see every possibility to run out before making a decision which one he prefers and execute. I believe there's no other player who can see or envision the table and with so many options than Efren. Efren can see possible imaginary shots that no one can, and can execute the shot while others can not. That's the genius of Efren that's why so many believe that he is the GOAT of this sport. Let me just clarify what I've said, all of this scenarios, happened or he can do easily during his prime. His knowledge and unbelievable talent in billiards is beyond compare and unmatched.

[@YouTubist666]

39:03 No need to apologize. We are so appreciative of you making the time and effort for posting these early games by Efren. I missed his hey days and love watching him as a young gun.

[@paulogaviola5522]

This video is appreciated, thanks for uploading!

[@jhette007]

Thank you so much for saving this legendary match....

[@floydreasons6779]

Tony was a good friend of mine since his early days at Pegs Pocket. My longtime buddy John Ditoro was a huge influence on Tony's game. Couldn't believe it when I saw him on the road in S Carolina. Rip Tony miss you buddy..

[@ricj6817]

to continue..Efren needs to pocket 14 of the 15 balls most of the time to win, while his opponent needs only at least 2 balls and yet Efren still wins easy. Unbelievable, everytime I watch him play he can shoot something which i thought was never possible. He is the magician to me a long time ago. I miss how he progresses in the 1980's and early 1990's. If only someone can put together all his games, that's truly amazing. I believe he is the greatest player who ever play this game

[@ugaugauga488]

I agree.

[@rapidPACMAN]

Agree 100%. Efren is the GOAT of pool. Period.

[@MahlonEdwards]

🐐

[@alfredocallangan5995]

I agree with your thoughts

[@flyingbob4u]

I was lucky to be there from 1979 to 1992 before the volcano took everything down then everything stopped. Rolando Vicente and myself Drew up the brackets for a big event downtown I couldn't make it but I understood it was a great event with some of the top players you in angeles including Efren. I still have the sign of list of all the players I wish I could duplicate that so some of you can relate to it.

[@BlackjackDSapolis]

Efren first came to the States (that I know of) -going by the name "Cesar Morales" This was around 1984-85. By then, everybody had heard of "Efren Reyes" but nobody had ever seen what he looked like. This was pre-intertnet. Efren was 30 yrs old. He was beyond scary because by then everybody was familiar with Jose Parica. Efren did not play anything like Jose, and yes, it was scary top think that there was a depth of talent in the Phils. that played just as well (or better) than Jose and Efren.

[@davids11131113]

I have the tournament ladder where Efren played as Cesar Morales.

[@mikeserrano734]

@@davids11131113 can you show it to us. Maybe a link of a video of that tournament at Reds. It will be shown in a future Efren Reyes Hollywood movie

[@SupraSkyline369]

Yes he used his friends name so no one recognized him. He was so good most people refused to play him. During the tournament he was playing he had others betting for him to win at crazy odds. They definitely made some money. At one point during the match they met fans and he was signing autographs with his real name. Thats when they found out who he was. Too bad I wasn't around and or too young to watch these videos when they were happening. But watching them now is awesome.

[@BlackjackDSapolis]

@@SupraSkyline369 - it was a lot of fun before the internet and cell phones - the 80's and 90's were a great time to be a pool player!

[@eunicechannel837]

Even in the Philippines around late 70's, the name " bata " was already very popular among billiard fans though they never seen his face. No one cares about the name of Parica anymore. They first took a glimpse of Efren's face during his match against Varner on delayed telecast and everybody was surprised to see this middle aged man. Everyone thought of a really young ( bata ) pool wizard.😁

[@marciemars2303]

Thanks for the effort to convert this from a vhs, it's much appreciated. More power!

[@koothrapauleekoopaul2606]

sir thanks for the video, this is part of pool history, once more thanks.

[@glyperez790]

awesome😍thank you for sharing David, you got new subs here 🇵🇭

[@KhriekuoSeletsu]

Love the ads too, bring back old memories.

[@EvelynEchavez-g1v]

I'm very proud of Efren Reyes , I didn't see this game in 1994, thank you for playing this in KZbin ......

[@joegoe2990]

Thank you for putting this up. It was a great video.

[@ariefap]

Thanks for uploading this, this video is a treasure for our next generation.

[@hgoldy]

Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it!

[@ricardoalaurin3205]

Thank you for uploading this was very important part of history

[@robroy5573]

For those who don't know of what happened to Mr. Tony Ellin, he was killed instantly in his car after colliding with a running train sometime in 2000. He was only 34. RIP Tony! 🙏

[@donnybro6536]

It sad when he have that potential to be 1 of the greatest player

[@mustthopasultanovachalih2843]

rob roy now are old man strikland & efren reyes

[@MahlonEdwards]

1-Tony "The Hurricane" Ellin, 34, of Ladson, S.C. was killed Wednesday when a train hit his 1999 Cadillac as he crossed an intersection. 2-He was killed on June 14, 2000, at age 34, when his 1999 Cadillac collided with a locomotive less than a block from his home. [2] Ellin was alone in his car when the accident occurred. Lt. Mike Benton, a Charleston County sheriff, said Ellin was "apparently trying to beat the train to the crossing." I'm sure he would have progressed immensely in the world of pool had this not occurred. 34 and out. One helluva breaker and player.

[@zaldydomingo3932]

Thanks for the effort of converting this!

[@QuietDriver97]

I miss billiards on ESPN. The coverage felt so cozy.

[@sukkiri-q3r]

David, thanks for up loading. I'm very happy to watch Efren's play the year he won US open.

[@mr.walston732]

Thanks for the footage

[@ginostrings]

I love the quality. I remember my childhood.

[@josuefuentes4626]

Thanks for your efforts to share this kind of material. Incredible Reyes. Humble and human. Awesome match. Greatest of all the time!

[@InterWebGuy99]

Thanks for putting this out there. It was a pleasure to watch Tony Ellin battle against Efren just as his career was starting to wind down. A truly great competitor who poured his life into the game.

[@pattychung]

This commentator is really good. He anticipates and draws out every shot movement, shot selection, and cue direction. Seems like he probably plays himself.

[@Bluemax54]

That's Allen Hopkins, world Champion.

[@flyingbob4u]

Had a chance to play Efren a couple of times in his hometown Angeles City Philippines back in '83 while I was stationed at Clark Air Force base. We played rotation and he ran the entire table using 'isa camay" (one handed) left me with my mouth agape.

[@joelbrenzuela]

nice Mr. bobby..

[@ever123108]

wow! nice story to hear sir. i'm from the philippines and just saw him in person just once. when you played efren he probably was not yet popular because during that time,our number 1 player was jose "amang" parica.

[@royplayer]

Where you ever in Montana Bobby?

[@travo2112]

pablo lacruz yes he was there twice. once in '97 and once in '99. Im his associate, and he wanted me to answer your question for him.

[@中西実-l5g]

,警察

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

The scary part about efren is he claims his top form was between approx 1976-1980 (there's a rare interview with him on youtube). Can you imagine what he was like then??

[@SlickRick4EVER]

1973 - 1976

[@donaldhenak4585]

yes

[@landorsavage]

This video explains it all. There are so much to tell about his feats during the 70s up to the 80s, the thing is he had won a lot of tournaments in the US alone not recorded, televised or broadcasted on TV. In his interview he said he was disqualified several times for being too good in the sport. Hence for 5 years he played carom (3 cushion) because nobody wants to play him in other disciplines. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5uVhn57adaAY80

[@simonanigan5141]

Efren Reyes and Jose Parica was dominant in pool Billiard American pool players scared of them. But maybe they would play Efren but on Joses prime even best players in America are just handicap on him even Buddy Hall never play with Jose because he's scared and knows already he wouldn't win in money game!

[@andrewverrett568]

Its his interview after beating Jason Miller in one pocket at the derby city classic. Can watch the whole match. I think. It's either that or when he beats Jimmy wetch in 9 ball at the derby city classic where efren shot a 1000. Perfect match. Both matches are on KZbin. Interview at the end Billy incardona interviews him and he says he was better in the 70s and 80s.

[@straightshooter141]

There's only one hurricane... and he's RIP. Great upload, Jack! Reyes is too good.

[@bonhzeppelin9882]

Mr. Ellen was and like a shooting star he shone brightly and brilliantly. Thanks Tony!

[@jacobjones5269]

Tony was a brilliant 9-ball player… He had it all.. Along with the personality to be loved by all.. I still miss him to this day..

[@bradyderise8884]

Thanks for the Video

[@ricoshaye5745]

Thank you for the effort in this video really appreciate it man. Great vintage efren!

[@MyStolenAimbot]

Commercials in the 90s were so much better

[@CAL7A]

Blackjack, these videos you have been uploading are just awesome gems from a very fantastic tera of pool.

[@ronsk8rr]

RIP Tony! Thanks for the great video.

[@PabG77]

Thanks for sharing this, I really Enjoyed it.

[@leboydelatorre7292]

Thank you Mr. Sapolis for these great video.dont mind it,grateful to have the chance to still watch the match.God bless Tony’ soul.

[@chrispafrieddreams9118]

👍👍I watched Tony Ellen play in, and win last tournament, at the Sands Regency in Reno, he came from the losers side and won ( one long day) What a smooth stroke and powerful break he had! A true gentleman of the game.. blessings...❤️🙏

[@Gemminttrading]

I would love to see Efren playing one pocket from the same era. Talk about Magician... I think he's one of the best overall players of all time.

[@JohnDisque]

I didn't get to see him play 1-pocket because I can't watch it. It bores the hell out of me, but I did get to see him play a lot of 9 ball and 8 ball. What I miss about the 80s and 90s is: guys like Tony, McCready, Kennedy, etc., who weren't fundamentally sound, could catch a gear and take-off a big tournament. There was less predictability, and it was less robotic, which made it more exciting. Pool was fun, and it's guys like Tony who made it fun.

[@bonhzeppelin9882]

@@JohnDisque For total offense 1 pocket look for Ronnie Allen footage. He was always on the attack, not bunting balls up table, or stalling, and ducking.

[@mattwoodardtn]

Efren plays 1 pocket better than anyone that has ever played. It is an eye opener.

[@TOPpicksWorldwide0428]

He's the greatest all around pool player of all time and he's also the greatest one pocket of all time. Efren is the man !

[@roncruz8191]

@@JohnDisque He is more scary in one pocket play .

[@abdotbi]

Thanks for recording the advertisements too, very nostalgic.

[@rosebidabon5921]

Ramon ren Ramon reville6m

[@pedrodavilaramirez4705]

Dont have too apologize,this is a good enough transmisión .thanks for the view

[@kevinplacid9351]

effren makes pool playing look effortless a pleasure to watch

[@h2o4170]

Don't app for VHS quality we are lucky to have this footage at all

[@ricj6817]

To continue... By that time (Efren early 20's) Jose Parica was the number 1 rated player in the Philippines. Efren ranks only 2nd to Parica, but in my point of view I knew that Efren has so much potential to become the better player of the 2 and that's what it turned out to be. If Efren ever made it to the U.S. in his early 20's I believe he is very capable of winning and could have won more tournaments.

[@patriciajrs46]

At least this one is in English. Very nice commentators. Love to watch these guys play.

[@philipcallado5693]

It’s funny how before each 9-ball match Efren is in the commentators mention how his opponent is a better breaker. What’s implied is that’s the only advantage they have against him because Efren’s brilliant at everything else.

[@roseyunun2653]

no

[@simplelangperorock]

Allen Hopkins is one of the best analysts ever

[@nathaliejhalevlog4619]

The greatest of all time:) thank you Efren "the magician" bata Reyes,the living legend...

[@samuelbaskin8141]

No apologies necessary....I stand in applause and salute to the great players that day and for you contributing this gem to the pool fans around the world

[@kingstaff4]

Thanks for sharing this. It was awesome seeing Efren in top form. Never seen Tony play, but he was a damn good player as well. Sad for his untimely passing.

[@louiefernandez3835]

Excellent performance::: Efren Reyes!!!

[@kokopeds8588]

Thanks for the upload

[@kapsleand6832]

thanks david, happy watching your video. blessing.

[@QxBoNG]

thanks so much for the upload! i love watching old footage of Efren. i call it, the skinny days. he sure was scary as hell when he was skinny! i wish he would lose some weight and get scary again hahaha even though he is still the worlds greatest. so glad i got to meet him and had my cue case signed by him. such a blessing to meet a legend while they are still alive =)

[@estrelitachua691]

Gg

[@chankom]

wow... Thank you for describing how crazy it was because my mind doesn't have the capability to imagine how scary Efren back in the day was.

[@scottschoppert9149]

1.99 for a good fast food meal is crazy compared to how they are ripping us off now

[@jaezryl]

Mad breaking technique by Tony Ellin. Incredible

[@charliemullen4767]

I’m watching for sure!!! Reyes is simply the best!!!

[@nickkai2851]

I had the honor of playing against Tony Ellin in a local billiard room monthly tournament in Georgia (I think it was '96 or '97). I did not at the time know who he was until the owner of the billiard room came up to me and said "You're playing the number 4 ranked player in the world". I am like no wonder why I been given 5 games in a race to 9 in a handicap ruled tournament. Anyway, I won the toss for the break and was fortunate run out the first rack. Second rack I didn't have a shot on the 5, so I played a hell of a safety sending the 5 up table and hiding the cue ball behind 6 and 8, everyone watching our match applauded me on that safety I played. Tony Ellin took a couple minutes it seemed to figure out how he was going make contact with the 5, next thing I know everyone watching including myself mouth was dropped opened, Tony Ellin went 4 rails, not only made contact with the 5 but also pocketed it as well. Needless to say he finished that rack. After that I learned why he was nicknamed "Hurricane", the next 7 racks he broke and ran out, the final rack he made the 9 on the break.

[@naldbryy8163]

Feels like a movie scene haha thank you for sharing!

[@kulasbukid]

Damn!

[@JeromeGenz-dw3yn]

Whatching from The Philippines..!

[@chuckbrodbar2753]

No apology here Great to see it RIP Tony he passed way too young

[@TheMybenitez]

Thanks for posting, glad to watch my idol Efren at his younger age, BTW do you have the final match?

[@BlackjackDSapolis]

The final is online - not sure if they will let me post the link in my comments - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqPGaYaVo7pqn80 hope this works -

[@TheMybenitez]

David Sapolis Thank you David, I've found it and enjoyed watching, thanks again for all your efforts

[@r.k.justus3616]

What a great match such a loss, thanks for putting this up :)

[@elterrible06]

at the start of the video it says efren was at a "young" 40. i wonder what age reyes was when he started playing pool in the states, although i've read an interview of him where he said his strongest years were back in his twenties where it even came to a point when he had to return to odd jobs because nobody wanted to play him for money anymore and said it took some time before he got a break and some financier brought him to the states to play for money games. he must've been scary back then.

[@glarbstentemford5334]

Yes it's true I'm from Philippines i know him really well

[@SlickRick4EVER]

@@glarbstentemford5334 - care to share a bit?

[@jodihouts6032]

I love these older ones, when they were still "cool" bad boys!

[@olivertined667]

Waching now june 2024,proud pinoy kabayan efren reyes the goat👍🍻

[@wildrabbit5817]

I hope jack in the box bring that $1.99 meal back , I have a coupon but it’s $7 meal. 😂😂😂

[@joeygonzo]

I followed Efren here in the US the year after this event starting in San Diego. He was a different animal then. He was giving local shortstops the 6-out. Sometimes with the breaks pa. From 1994 to 1996 he terrorized the tour. His game went down after he quit smoking then came back somewhat in 1999 to 2000. He really hasn't been the same since 2000. He used to shoot in the .900's the whole tournament.

[@ugaugauga488]

Yes. Despite this he went on to win over 30 championships after 2000, including dominating the Derby City Classic. Most of these championships involve the same world-class players so even if the event is not as prestigious as the world championship, he's still beating the top world champions. From what I understand he was a bit stronger in 8-ball and pocket ball as well as straight. And when it counted big time, for the big purses, was dominant. Efren clearly the GOAT overall.

[@ricj6817]

I'm just curious with your comment as to how true was the story that Efren's game went down when he quit smoking. Where did that story come from? You know I've been a follower of Efren since the mid 70's and as he progress and became so popular when he started playing in international competition. I once posted a comment where I said that I believe there were 2 good things that happened to Efren that's why he achieved so many in billiards and became so popular in the world.,, 1. He quit smoking. so my opinion contradicts with your story that Efren's game went down when he quit smoking. Efren was a chain smoker at his early age and if he didn't quit, more likely he would be sick and won't be able to play billiards for a long time. But when he quits, he remains healthy and that was the key to winning more tournaments. So I don't agree pretty much to the story that his game went down when he quit smoking. My opinion is more realistic, because I can support it with factual evidence that he won more tournaments after he quit smoking. So it simply proved that quitting smoking was a good decision for him. 2.His decision to compete in international tournaments. This is the other good thing that happened to Efren. If he decided to stay in the Philippines, during his very best no one wants to play him. So if he will continue to use his talent in billiards to earn money in the Philippines, he will be force to play handicapped games at all time, or worst case scenario is playing a fixed game, that was too dangerous. I read from a newspaper during the mid 70's a certain Manuel Flores alias "Boy Bicol' was murdered in Cavite, the body was cut in pieces for playing a fixed game. That could possibly happen to Efren too if he decided to play fixed games. So it was a good decision that he decided to play in international tournament where he eventually proved that he is the best in the world.. Going back to the smoking issue, smoking is not something that could enhance Efren's game in billiards. I believe there's no scientific studies that can support that story. Efren developed his own talent and knowledge in billiards thru constant practice thru the years since he was a young kid. It is my belief that he could be gifted with unbelievable talent and knowledge in the sport, considering he didn't even have any decent scholastic records. The reason behind it, so many of his shots are considered to be a touch of a genius. Those magical shots he accomplished thru the years, were somewhat unbelievable and I believe not anyone among his respectable pool players, can execute, 'coz those shots were something they don't even saw in the pool table, and it's only Efren who can envision those shots, and execute it. This unbelievable talent of Efren, was the reason why Efren separates himself among the best in billiards history. Remember the Americans won't call him 'The Magician' for nothing... many believes he's the arguably the GOAT in this sport. It was just a coincidence that Efren happened to be a chain smoker, while he was playing billiards, but it is my belief that smoking has nothing to do with Efren's game in billiards.

[@robmds8256]

Great commentator very knowledgeble and soft spoken..

[@mathewladroga4695]

Absolutely love this walk back in time, I was 9 in 94

[@bah1153]

Would loved to have seen St.louis Louie Roberts play Efrin what a match up that would have been!

[@squatch570]

One of the forgotten greats Roberts was, because outside of real pool players, most people have never heard of him. Too bad Louie passed away so soon. That would've been a great match up... and Louie was as nice a guy as Efren too.

[@oscarmorales-cn3hz]

Thanks!

[@mythumbsupgettingdeleted]

match was so awesome, didn't even notice the conversion glitches...

[@sanctuary8396]

This match was held on my 7th birthday! :D

[@Grayback1973]

I still think Tony had the best break in the world,still to this day.

[@MahlonEdwards]

He had a lot of weight behind it, for sure. Sad death. He challenged a locomotive and lost. Cue Tull.

[@shaahidbacus1708]

Great commentary

[@yoyoyojeremy]

Reyes is the greatest. And I appreciate that. But Ellin was a hell of guy and a great player. Gone too soon.

[@cebubilliards]

The GOAT! It will take another hundred years for another Efren Bata Reyes.

[@kulasbukid]

The next who thing who gonna break Efren record it's gonna be A.I.

[@WillieDines1]

There is something I notice specifically about the break in this match. Tony Ellin:- Slams the rack and parks whitey fairly in the centre consistently, but had had quite a few dry breaks. Efren Reyes:- Much softer break, but had more consistency with making balls and having more chances to run out from the snap.

[@larrywhitesell4139]

Thanks for this video! Fantastic nine ball match!

[@robertoreglos1908]

Thank you for the video...

[@josephlee4337]

Those were the golden eras and the matches are collected items.