LIKE all aspiring billiards players in the country, AJ Manas has looked up to the greatness of the one and only “The Magician” Efren “Bata” Reyes.
But to get to that level, he’s enlisted another magician to help his cause – literally.
Jeffrey Tam has been on the side of Manas for two years now, with the multi-talented comedian-slash-magician guiding the 18-year-old prodigy every step of the way.
But the celebrity clarified, “Wala akong maitutulong sa kanya sa bilyar.”
READ Is teen prodigy AJ Manas the 'next big thing' in PH pool?
What Tam can help with, though, is in terms of wisdom and guidance as he serves as Manas’ manager together with his wife Pia. In the process, he also acts somewhat of a second parent for him.
“Tawag na nga niya sa akin is dad na,” he said as the Tams treat Manas as one of their own. “Kahit legal age na siya at 18, kailangan pa rin niya ng gabay sa decision making niya, sa mental conditioning, and the like. Ang Magandang bagay is nakikinig naman si AJ. Mabait yung bata at sumusunod sa amin.”
Opening act
Tam shared that he didn’t really expect this partnership to happen.
Playing billiards for leisure, Tam admitted that he knew little of Manas when they first met two years ago.
“Na-meet ko lang siya sa Sharks Arena sa Tomas Morato na nagpa-practice. Pinakilala lang siya sa amin pero wala akong idea kung sino siya,” he recounted.
Manas was already making a name by then playing in money games and capitalizing on his burgeoning fame on social media. But the Antipolo City native knew that he had to take his game to the next level, leading him to approach the Tams.
“May following na naman siya noon. Pero nag-ask siya ng help kasi gusto niyang sumali sa Hanoi Junior Open,” Tam shared. “Pinagusapan namin ng wife ko and sabi naman ni misis, ‘Sige, tutulungan ka namin.’”
It turned out, Manas matched his hype and showed that he’s a worthy investment, winning the 2023 Hanoi Junior Open with a comfortable 9-2 victory over Liao Hung-Yen of Chinese Taipei.
Bag of tricks
From there, the partnership just blossomed.
Despite his busy schedule, Tam took a more active role in managing Manas’ career as he has been on the teenager’s side since then.
And that’s not just on the contractual stuff. It’s evident on the logistical side up to the most minute housekeeping duties wherever Manas’ career took him.
Wherever AJ went, Jeff was by his side as the former tried to make a name for himself in the international scene as one of the youngest professional players signed by Matchroom Pool.
Just this year, they’ve been in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Premier League Pool, Great Britain for the UK Open, the US for the Florida Open, Vietnam for the Hanoi Open, and Saudi Arabia for the World Pool Championship.
Through it all, Tam was clear on what he wants Manas to achieve.
“Kahit saan kami mapunta, isa lang ang request ni misis kay AJ, na uwian mo kami ng trophy,” he said, showing the high standards they want Manas to uphold.
“Manalo o matalo, nandito naman kami lagi. Darating naman tayo doon pero nasa timing yan, na kung ibibigay ni Lord yung panalo, ibibigay yan sa yo.”
Standing ovation
Timing is funny, really.
No one, not even Manas, expected himself to be called up for the second edition of the Reyes Cup. After all, he was happy to be one of the spectators in the inaugural staging last year.
By a stroke of luck and the definitive choice of team captain Francisco “Django” Bustamante, he got in as a wildcard selection for Team Asia.
As expected, there came the critics questioning if he deserved the spot alongside proven winners in world champion Carlo Biado, reigning US Open champion Aloysius Yapp of Singapore, Johann Chua, and Vietnamese stud Duong Quoc Hoang.
These facts aren’t lost on Tam, stating, “Alam natin na wala siya sa ranking. Maraming nambabash kasi sabi nila, sikat lang siya kaya siya nakuha.”
But after four days of competition, ‘Starboy’ shone the brightest not only as the certified crowd darling but also anchoring Team Asia to the decisive victory over Team Rest of the World, bannered by world No. 1 Fedor Gorst, and earning the MVP honors.
Tam, cheering his lungs out from the stands, was vindicated as Manas proved that he didn’t just belong, he also has what it takes to be among the best.
“Kita naman sa pinakita ng bata,” he said, all smiles for the biggest achievement of the kid.
“Sabi naman namin sa kanya wag niyang pansinin yung sinasabi ng mga tao. Wag mong hayaan na makasira sila sa yo kasi nandito kami para dumepensa. Ituloy mo lang yung ginagawa mo kasi darating ang araw, magiging world champion ka.”
It’s such a lofty target for Tam to set for Manas, yet these shouldn’t come off as a wild prediction especially with Bustamante, Biado, and Chua all having the same grand projections for Manas in the future.
Biado had the boldest take, saying, “Maybe [in] two to three years, magiging world champion si AJ.”
Ace up his sleeve
As much success as Manas is enjoying this early in his career, Tam reminded the young sensation that it's still too early in the journey.
“Yun lang naman eh, na wag siyang magmadali,” he said. “Bata pa siya so enjoyin niya lahat ng ito.”
There are still kinks that Manas needs to iron out in his game, from issues on consistency to handling pressure which would allow him to play at his best at every tournament. These things are what his handlers makes sure he knows.
“Lagi naming sinasabi sa kanya ng wife ko, ‘AJ, hindi ako kasing galing mo, pero ang maipapayo ko sa yo every game is ibigay mo ang 100 percent mo.’” Tam said.
“Ang bilis niyang tumira, parang laging nagmamadali and doon din nagmumula yung mga mistakes niya. Kaya ang reminder lang is kahit alam mo na tirahin yung bola, kung may oras pa, pag-isipan mo muna kasi wala namang masama. Dapat ma-relax yung katawan mo bago ka dumapa sa mesa at ngayon naman, nakikita naman natin na pakonti-konti naa-apply na niya.”
No question, the world is Manas’ oyster and the Tam couple just wants to make sure that he makes the most of his gift.
“Yun lang naman yung advice, na mag-practice ng mabuti. Wag niyang hayaan na matulad siya sa ibang player na nasa peak na pero biglang bumaba. Dapat paangat ka na ng paangat,” Tam told Manas.
“Pag umabot ka na sa point na yun na peak ng career niya, si AJ na lang ang makakapagsabi kung kaya niyang abutin yung trophy o hindi.”
And when that happens, Jeff can proudly say that it’s going to be the greatest show he’s ever been in.
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