The Filipino pool legend Efren “The Magician” Reyes got a convincing victory against local cue master Mark Ace Jungco (7-3) in their first match of the 3rd Mayor Albee Benitez 10-ball tournament at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center in Bacolod City, Monday.
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 cleared the sixth rack. Jungco rallied a couple of sets until his childhood idol secured the rest of the rack and the win in front of the jam packed crowd at the mall.
“This time I got lucky,” Reyes gladly said as he thanked his fans and supporters.
He faced up against cue master Ronie Grecia for his second match yesterday, at the Activity Center.
A total of 128 cue masters are competing in 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 1p.m. today, 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.*