Efren "Bata" Reyes, considered a genuine sports hero in the Philippines has been named as one among 60 Years of Asian Heroes in a special year anniversary issue of Time Magazine which seeks to pay tribute to what it refers to as the remarkable men and women who have shaped these times.
Reyes, known the world over as "The Magician" because of his incredible shot-making and acknowledged as the greatest pool player of all-time was cited in a section which pays tribute to Athletes & Explorers. The list includes Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, China's legendary gymnast Li Ning, Pakistani squash great Jahangir Khan, Kung Fu master and actor Bruce Lee, Indonesian badminton superstar Rudy Hartono, Japanese baseball's prolific pitcher Sadaharu Oh, China's basketball Olympian Mou Zuoyen and the first men to conquer Mt. Everest, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary.
Reyes will fly to Hong Kong at the end of this month to personally receive the citation which is regarded as a tremendous honor not just for Reyes but for the Philippines.
In an article on Reyes in Time Asia well-known pool commentator Bob Guerrero said that if there was one thing Reyes has been advertising since the day he first picked up a cue, its this: "the odds-defying ability of a poor Pinoy to parlay hard work, skill and guile into fame, fortune and respect."
Reyes, one of the top favorites in the on-going 2006 Philippine World Pool Championships in Manila was scheduled to play youthful countryman Ronnie Alcano in a round of 32 match late yesterday.
