BACOLOD CITY – Former world pool champions Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante will return to this city to compete in the 3rd Mayor Albee Benitez MassKara 10-ball Open Billiard Tournament at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center here from October 21 to 25.
EFREN 'Bata' Reyes (FB)
Reyes, dubbed “The Magician,” and Bustamante are among the 4,000 athletes competing in 18 sporting events in the 3rd MassKaralympics which is part of the 45th MassKara Festival celebration here.
In 2022, Reyes joined the tournament, but was eliminated by 15-year-old AJ Manas in the fourth day of the competition.
Last year, an exhibition game between Benitez and Reyes drew a huge crowd in the 2nd Mayor Albee Benitez 10-ball Billiard Tournament at the Atrium of SM City Bacolod where Reyes won against Benitez, 2-1.
Benitez and Reyes first teamed up in a doubles match against Councilor Vladimir Gonzalez and Bustamante.
However, the Benitez-Reyes tandem fell short against their opponents, 2-5.
This year, both pool legends will compete in singles matches.
Meanwhile, the annual competition for this year's MassKara Festival kicked off with badminton matches at the Pohang Badminton Center and Lopue's South Square from October 4 to 6.
Benitez is expected to lead the tee-off for the golf tournament at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club from October 10 to 13.
Runners, cyclists, and Zumba enthusiasts will test their limits in the MassKaRun, Bike, and Zumba events in the opening day of the festival at the Bacolod City Government Center on October 12 starting at 5 a.m.
A visiting Singaporean team will face off against the country’s top Tchoukball clubs at the BCC Activity Center from October 18 to 20 while national paddlers will compete in the table tennis tournament at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central from October 13 to 15.
“This year is more exciting. We have more games, and we have new sports like pickleball, 3x3 basketball, E-sports, darts, and frisbee,” MassKaralympics 2024 sports head Jose David Diaz said.
“This will be an action-packed MassKaralympics this October, and we look forward to bringing more fun and excitement to this year’s MassKara Festival celebration,” he added.
The 3-on-3 basketball event, along with the MassKara Frisbee Cup, national pickleball tournament, E-sports, and darts tournament, will debut in this year’s MassKaralympics from October 12 to 25 featuring over 200 competitors.