On Sunday, April 22, at the Tropicana Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, pool history will never be the same as Filipino superstar Efren Reyes upset Shane Van Boening 13–10 to win his 14th US Open Pool Championship.
The scheduled race-to-13 final began at 3 p.m. local time, with 67-year-old Reyes hoping to make history as the oldest player to win one of the sport’s most coveted championships. Van Boening, a 39-year-old South Dakotan who has won five US Open titles, was his opponent.
The match that ensued was a generational showdown, with the senior Reyes defeating his younger, high-scoring opponent with a throwback demonstration of shotmaking mastery and unwavering composure under extreme stress.
It was immediately clear to the packed house at the Tropicana Showroom that they were about to see something extraordinary. Reyes lost the first three racks, but he showed why he was called “The Magician” when he won six of the following seven racks with some incredible pots.
To create simple runout possibilities, the fervent Filipino was rolling the cue ball with laser-like accuracy and a powerful combination of spin and power. Reyes jumped off to a 6-4 lead while Van Boening, who is typically so productive at the table, was having trouble getting a foothold.
When it appeared as though the cunning veteran would easily win the match, Van Boening steadied himself with consecutive racks to tie the score at 6-6. For the following hour, every ball potted became increasingly significant as the two players engaged in a tactical, low-scoring arm struggle.
Whether it was creating crazy cut-angle spins to escape circumstances that seemed unachievable or hitting a full-table linear route for the position, neither guy was backing down. They were using every trick in their respective arsenals. The degree of talent displayed by the masters of the green cloth left the spectators in awe.
Nevertheless, Reyes was always first among equals, barely able to stave off his formidable opponent with calmly cool clearances under the most intense lighting. Specifically, at 9–9, the Filipino produced a spectacular leap over a blocking ball and then collected a normally inch-perfect runout to take the lead once again.
Van Boening must have believed his opportunity was lost as Reyes built a string of 90+ clusters in a row to move one rack from triumph at 12-9. However, demonstrating his championship grit, the American came back with a series of amazing multi-rail kick shots that significantly cut his deficit to 12-10.
As Reyes approached the table and asked for just one more rack for history, the tension in the Tropicana Showroom was evident. But on the last rack, Van Boening snookered Reyes twice behind the 9-ball, setting him up for a devilishly difficult exit.
In the end, though, the old master was not to be denied on this day. Reyes produced one final piece of sublime cue artistry, caressing the cue ball around three separate rails to sink the 9-ball in the corner and finally claim his record 14th US Open crown amidst raucous celebrations.
The moment was poignant, with the great Filipino being surrounded by his fellow countrymen and sobbing at the end of a performance fit for the ages. Though understandably upset, Van Boening joined in the heartfelt cheers for one of the greatest pool players ever.
“I may be growing older, but my love in life is this game. Reyes composed himself and remarked, “I love competing, and that feeling you get when you make a tough shot is unlike anything else.”
“Being a fantastic player like Shane, I knew I needed to do something very unique to defeat him today. On a day like this, I’m really happy to have been able to display my finest pool skills.”
Van Boening, 39, showered in compliments for the genius of his conqueror: “Efren was just too brilliant tonight. That’s the best pocket-billiards player there is. It’s astounding that he can still perform that at his age.”
“I have no regrets, but I did have my opportunities. Picasso had just finished creating his masterpiece. I was limited to seeing and appreciating the brilliance.”
Reyes was competing in only his fourth event of the season thus far, having undergone minor heart surgery late in the previous year, which added to the already incredible story of his historic victory.
About 50 years after making his debut as one of pool’s first genuinely worldwide superstars, the Filipino’s unquenchable competitive fire is still burning as fiercely as ever at an age when most players would be putting their feet up.
Reyes’s most recent triumph solidifies his enduring reputation as one of the most exceptionally gifted acumens who have ever graced the green baize. Although the notorious ‘Colour of Money’ match contributed to his legacy, his most recent US Open masterclass may be his greatest accomplishment.
Reyes‘ standing in the tight-knit world of the professional pool is already established. However, his incredible feats in Atlantic City add yet another remarkable chapter to solidify his reputation as a genuine sports marvel in the eyes of the general public.
For those who were lucky enough to watch this instant masterpiece, confirmed as such, it was an honour to witness a master perform one more pure masterpiece at the pinnacle of his profession.
