The Filipino pool legend Efren “The Magician” Reyes got a convincing victory against local cue master Mark Ace Jungco (7-3) at their first match for the 3rd Mayor Albee Benitez 10-ball tournament at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center in Bacolod City, Monday, October 21.
Reyes took a commanding lead in the first three sets (3-0) before Jungco was able to punch back in the fourth set.
The Magician clear the sixth rack. Jungco rallied a couple of sets until his childhood idol secure rest of the rack and the win in front of the jampacked crowd at the mall.
“This time I got lucky,” Reyes gladly said as he thanked his fans and supporters.
He will face up against cue master Ronie Grecia for his second match at 4pm, tomorrow, October 22, at the Activity Center.
A total of 128 cue masters compete for this year’s 10-ball tilt which is part of the annual MassKaralympics for the MassKara Festival 2024.
Along with Reyes, pool icon Francisco “Django” Bustamante will match up with Japhet Narciso in the single matches for the annual pool tournament tomorrow 1pm, at the Activity Center.
Last year, both Reyes and Bustamante had exhibition matches alongside Mayor Benitez for the MassKaralympics spectacle.
Also joining this year’s tournament were Filipina world champion Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit and 9-year old pool phenom Michael Inigo Feliciano.