John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Article (news)

Matchroom Pool

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769054368572G_J32xLaoAQvY1W.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Photo courtesy: Matchroom Pool </div>MANILA – It&#x27;s not every day that local and international billiards legends get together and face off in front of fans inside a mall in the Philippines.That&#x27;s why for Filipino pool icons Efren &quot;Bata&quot; Reyes and Francisco &quot;Django&quot; Bustamante, they always welcome the rare opportunity to play against their fellow legends.The WNT Legends event has brought together Reyes, Bustamante, as well as international pool icons Ralf &quot;The Kaiser&quot; Souquet and Earl &quot;The Pearl&quot; Strickland for a three-day showcase in Quezon City.Despite feeling nerves in the opening match, Bustamante edged Strickland, 11-9, playing his usual game while taking in the cheers from the Filipinos in attendance.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/1/21/pinoy-billiards-icons-triumphant-over-foes-in-wnt-legends-opener-2231">READ: Pinoy billiards icons triumphant over foes in WNT Legends opener</a></div>He relished the opportunity to play against his fellow legends in a historic event.&quot;Alam mo, nakaka-nervous talaga ‘yung ganito. Kahit paulit-ulit kami nagkikita, iba pa rin pakiramdam. At least masaya naman, at least naglalaro pa kami ng bilyar kahit sa edad naman na ito. So, masayang-masaya,&quot; the 62-year old told reporters on Wednesday.As the matches continued into the afternoon, more Filipino pool fans gathered at the Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview to witness the clash of legends.For Bustamante, their presence is a testament to the continued interest and support for Filipino pool players, not just legends like them.&quot;Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating mga kababayan dahil hanggang ngayon, sumusuporta pa rin sila sa amin. Sana wag silang magsawa, kasi sabik din silang makapanood ng ganito, makita &#x27;yung mga legend,&quot; he said.Reyes said Filipino billiards has come a long way from when they began years ago.&quot;The Magician&quot; said he drew power from the crowd when he did some tricks in his 11-8 victory over Souquet.&quot;Malaking bagay din sa amin ito siyempre, tinatangkilik din nila pati &#x27;yung bilyar. Lalong lalo na &#x27;yung kabataan. Baka andito nga &#x27;yung mga bata nanonood,” Reyes said.As for Souquet, he said the competitive matches showed the legends still have it in them to put on a show for the fans.&quot;We are all still very very good players. Some of us have trouble with age or with certain things that eventually come to your body when you reach a certain age. But I&#x27;m feeling sort of young,&quot; the 57-year-old shared.&quot;I try to keep as fit as possible. That&#x27;s why I really have a goal to win another big major event,&quot; he added.For the pool legends, talent goes beyond age and the continued support from fans show that they should keep going as long as they can.

The WNT Legends event has brought together Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante, as well as international pool icons Ralf "The Kaiser" Souquet and Earl "The Pearl" Strickland for a three-day showcase in Quezon City.

The WNT Legends event has brought together Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante, as well as international pool icons Ralf "The Kaiser" Souquet and Earl "The Pearl" Strickland for a three-day showcase in Quezon City.

Pinoy billiards icons relish competing with fellow legends on home soil

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Pinoy billiards icons relish competing with fellow legends on home soil

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 22, 2026 12:16 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

Billiards

Efren "Bata" Reyes

Francisco "Django" Bustamante

WNT Legends

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