33 Facts About Efren Reyes

Efren Manalang Reyes was born on August 26,1954 and is a Filipino professional pool player.

Efren Reyes represented the Philippines at the World Cup of Pool, winning the event with partner Francisco Bustamante in 2006 and 2009.

Many analysts, fans and players consider Efren Reyes to be the greatest pool player of all time.

Efren Reyes was born in Pampanga, Philippines, on August 26,1954.

Efren Reyes moved to Manila at age five to live with his uncle, who owned a pool hall.

Efren Reyes cleaned the hall and slept on the tables.

In 1983, Efren Reyes took on Pepito Dacer in the finals of the Philippine Rotation Championship.

Efren Reyes began winning a number of tournaments in the United States, Europe and parts of Asia, garnering attention and recognition worldwide.

Efren Reyes became internationally known at the US Open 9-Ball Championship in 1994.

In 1999, Efren Reyes won the first televised World Pool Championship that was hosted by Matchroom Pool, earning $60,000, which was the largest first-place prize in a pool tournament.

In 2001, Efren Reyes participated in the 2001 Tokyo 9-Ball Open, the event had over 700 players participating.

Efren Reyes reached the final of the 2004 WPA World Eight-ball Championship, where he met Marlon Manalo in the final.

Efren Reyes won the 2005 International Pool Tour King of the Hill Eight-ball Shootout, winning $200,000, which was the largest first-place prize of any pool tournament at the time.

Efren Reyes partnered with Francisco Bustamante to represent the Philippines at the inaugural World Cup of Pool.

Efren Reyes won the 2009 event partnering Bustamante.

Efren Reyes has won five bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games and an eight-ball bronze medal at the 2002 Asian Games.

Reyes is often called by his nickname "", which means "kid" in Filipino, given to him by close friends to distinguish him from an older Efren who played pool.

When Efren Reyes first arrived in the United States, he took the name Cesar Morales as he knew that players had heard his name but not seen what he looked like and he wished to continue hustling.

In 2003, Efren Reyes was featured in the Filipino movie Pakners with actor Fernando Poe Jr.

Efren Reyes considers balkline to be his favorite cue sport, and plays chess as a hobby.

Efren Reyes became the first Asian to be inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2003.

Efren Reyes was inducted into the One Pocket Hall of Fame in 2004.

Efren Reyes was appointed Philippine Sports Ambassador for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.

Efren Reyes has been awarded the Philippine Sportswriters Association Sportsman of the Year on three occasions: in 1999,2001, and 2006.

Efren Reyes was given the Philippine Legion of Honor, and included in Time magazine's 60 Asian heroes in 2006.

Efren Reyes was awarded the Philippine Order of Lakandula "Champion for Life Award" in 2006.

Efren Reyes was named "Player of the Decade" for the 2000s by the US Billiard Media Association.

Efren Reyes has topped the AZ Billiards Money list five times: 2001,2002,2004,2005, and 2006.

Efren Reyes holds the record for highest recorded earnings of any pool player, being the most amount of money won in tournament play in a season, winning $645,000 in 2006.

In 2024, Efren Reyes was inducted into the inaugural World Billiards Hall of Fame held at the newly opened World Billiards Museum in Yushan, China.

Efren Reyes was among the five inductees announced in the greatest players category.

An annual five on five tournament between Asia and Europe was dedicated in Efren Reyes' name, titled the Efren Reyes Cup.

Efren Reyes is a winner of over 100 professional tournaments, including:.