Efren “Bata” Reyes overcame a big deficit to edge out Thailand’s Suriya Suwanasingh, 65-58, Monday, May 16 and reach the men’s 1-carom semifinals of the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Reyes, who got a big applause from the Vietnamese crowd, prevailed over his Thai opponent despite having to climb back from a 39-24 deficit during their quarterfinal match held at the Ha Dong Gymnasium.
The 67-year-old pool legend assured himself of a bronze medal but will look to move one step closer towards his first gold in the regional meet in 35 years.
He won two golds back in the 1987 Jakarta Games, ruling the men’s snooker and men’s english billiards.
Reyes settled for bronze back in the 2019 edition held at Tent City inside Manila Hotel, losing to Vietnam’s Ngo Dinh Nai in the semifinals.
Things looked bleak for Reyes as the Thai cue artist separated himself from a 22-all deadlock early in the match to build a huge lead.
But despite some miscues, Reyes was able to slowly climb back and tie the score at 51-all before eventually snatching the lead away from Suwanasingh.