TOP MONEY MAKERS OF 2007

BECAUSE OF ARTHRITIS: REYES FAILED TO REGAIN HIS STATUS
AS THE TOP MONEY MAKER IN THE WORLD OF POOL THIS YEAR

FILIPINO pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes failed to regain his status as the top money-maker in the world of pool this year because of a bout with arthritis and joining only a few tournaments abroad.

The 53-year-old Reyes, occupied top spot for three consecutive years (2004-2006).
"Umatake na naman 'yung sakit ko na arthritis 'yun ang malaking dahilan kaya bihira tayo na nanalo sa taong ito," said the prize fighter of Puyat Sports cited this is only the third time in his professional billiard career that he only won a few tournaments.

"Noong 1997 at 1998 hindi din ako nagpapanalo dahil nga sa arthritis," added Reyes, who pocket the biggest paycheck in pool world netted $500,000 winning the 2006 International Pool Tour (IPT) World 8-Ball in Nevada.

"Isa pang dahilan bihira ako makasali sa ibang bansa sa taong ito lalu na sa Amerika kasi mataas ang tax," said Reyes, fresh from a quarter-final finish recently in 2007 All Japan Championships was held at Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan.

The list showed Reyes, known as the "Magician" for his variety of trick shots landed in No.13th place of www.AZbilliards.com's money list this year after accumulating $54,355.

He won three titles namely, Derby City Classic Master of the Table Bonus ($20,000), Derby City Classic One Pocket Event ($12,000) and Q Masters US Open Warm Up One Pocket Event ($1,500).

Five more Filipino cue masters also made it to the top 20---No.4 Ronato Alcano ($76,787), No.5 Dennis Orcollo ($76,121), No. 14 Francisco "Django" Bustamante (54,344), No.16 Alex Pagulayan ($50,850) and No.18 Roberto Gomez ($45,700).

Daryl Peach of England, the 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships ruler took the No.1 spot with $103,000 total earning in three tournaments. Peach, 9th place of 2007 World Cup of Pool ($2,500) and 65th place of 2007 US Open 9-Ball ($500) climb at No.1 spot after beating Gomez in the finals of 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships to bag the top prize of $100,000.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)