EFREN ‘Bata’ Reyes said he remains undecided on whether he will retire or not after falling short in his bid for gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
The 65-year-old Reyes lost to Dinh Hai Ngo of Vietnam, 100-14, on Friday in the semifinals of the one-cushion carom for a bronze medal.
“Hindi ko alam kung mag-reretire ako o hindi. Siguro malapit na,” Reyes said.
Reyes, however, said he is still willing to help out the national team as a coach in the SEA Games.
“Baka coach na lang. Baka coach na lang kami ni Pareng Django,” said Reyes, referring to fellow billiards legend Francisco ‘Django’ Bustamante. “Hindi ko alam kung maglalaro kami.”
Reyes has said several times before that his game has declined and the performance in carom gave the home crowd a close look.
“Siguro napanood niyo na,” said Reyes. “Katorse lang nagawa ko. ‘Yung kalaban ko magaling. May dipernsya. Kung ‘yung tira niya at tira ko noong araw, kaya ko siya. Baka lamang ako. Ngayon, medyo magaling siya at ‘yung tira ko, wala.”
Reyes also said he struggled with the new pool table cloth.
“Nag-eensayo kami lagi sa lumang tapete. Eh ‘yung napaglaruan namin, bagong tapete. Ngayon lang ako nakapaglaro sa bagong tapete sa karambola uli. Kaya hindi ko magamay. Pati takbo. Sila, gamay nila ‘yung takbo. Konting tira lang, saltik lang ng konti, kaya nlia. Ako, sumosobra pa,” said Reyes.
Reyes also said he can no longer cluster consecutive points in carom, which his opponent did when he racked up 23 straight to start the match.
“Tumakada na agad siya nung hindi ko nakuha break. Eksakto na ‘yung tama, biglang nagbago kaya nalamangan. Magaling tira niya eh. Ako masama tira ko. Mahihirapan ako manalo. Kailangan din diyan, tumakada din ako ng bente. Dati 30, 40, ngayon hanggang dalawa na lang ako,” said Reyes.
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