REYES BATTLES TEENAGER IN VIEWERS CHOICE CHALLENGE MATCH
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 14 Apr 2008
Ageless Efren ?Bata? Reyes, acknowledged as the greatest pool player of all-time has been chosen by pool fans around the world to battle American teenaged sensation Austin Murphy in the International Pool Tour Viewers Choice Ultimate 8-Ball Challenge Match on April 29.
Thanks to the wholehearted support of the tremendously popular philboxing.com internet site whose supporters responded to an appeal to vote for Reyes, ?The Magician? finished first ahead of Murphy who came out of nowhere to finish second and early leader Vilmos Foldes.
The race-to-15 showdown in 8-ball which is Reyes? forte is expected to be interesting since Murphy is a young player trying to prove himself as a professional against Reyes who was referred to by IPT Tour Director Deno Andrews as ?the game?s one living legend.?
Andrews, in an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today said ?we at the IPT are delighted to see this match. Austin is an excellent player who is still at the beginning of his career. Efren is the game?s most celebrated player. There is no better stage in the world for Austin to try and prove himself as a professional."
Murphy began playing pool at the age of seven and when they recognized his talent Austin?s parents put a pool table in their garage. At the age of 11 Murphy became the youngest player ever to win the Billiard Congress of America junior national championship 14 and under division in Ann Arbor, Michigan in June 2005.
Murphy who won $2,000 in the 2006 North American Open in Las Vegas and $5,000 in the 2006 World Open in Reno, Nevada is very determined to become one of the top pool players in the world.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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