The match is a race to 2 out of 3 sets, with a race to 8 in each set. Winner prize is $200,000 --- largest in pool history; second place money is $100,000.
poor Mike no lay ups, L.J.J. and the other commentator make it sound like Efren isn't shooting hard shots, high pressure $200,000 match every shot is difficult, Mike is just like E. Strickland talks to much, Efren says nothing he just kicks a** and smiles, I like that
I was so annoyed listening to these announcers, saying he had all easy shots etc. the reality is that his queue ball control was phenomenal and barely made any mistakes
I think it's amazing how this video was put out 5 years ago yet the person who published it is still replying to comments and concerns of his viewers to this day. Much respect.
What is so amazing about Efren is that he is so humble. Its extremely rare in today's world that someone with his dominating skills and talent can remain so calm, respectful and humble. What a admirable person he is. I wish this game was more popular so that today's youth could have a role model like him to shape their outlook on sportsman ship and life!
He is such a great man, and obviously a truly great player in a class all by himself. If you want to watch some outstanding Efren pool, go check out any of Jefgalung videos of him playing all comers in PI. He plays normally - kind of just horsing around - until he gets behind and close, then the "Real Efren" comes out and the man just can do no wrong and beats the opponent. I've watched a bunch of them and I believe he's actually lost one set, like out of 30-40.
Why am i still watching this at 3am in the morning when i have a meeting at 9:30? But goddamn. The sheer humility and lovable character of Reyes is so pleasing to watch
I've known Efren for more than 30 years and can personally tell you that he has no equal for a lifetime of being gentlemanly, fair, humble, and respectful of other pros and spectators always -- meanwhile playing with unearthly skill and the imagination and vision of a true genius. *A humble genius -- that's a category of genius rarely seen in world history*. Such a decent, wholesome man. A wonderful role model for young and older folks alike, and for emerging players everywhere. Pool players of all ages around the world (and millions of non-players too) all love Efren. *His skills, sportsmanship and unmistakable human kindness dazzle everyone. He probably has inspired more players to begin playing our wonderful sport, than any player in the 170-year history of professional billiards*.
Good and actually profound sentiment, Gabriel. Except for certain occupations -- airline pilots, heart and brain surgeons, maternity ward nurses, radiologists -- we don't want those humans smiling and laughing thru their mistakes. We all agree on that, I'm sure.
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 Oh that's true, I was more talking about our mistakes in our daily lives at home, not feeling that heavy pressure all the time. Being at ease and realising that mistakes are part of life. I do agree that these people would never laugh about that
I believe that "efren reyes" is the greatest pool master in the world, he make the impossible to possible. They didn't calling him a magician for nothing. As a Filipino i am so proud of him.
Mike's strategy is shoot his mouth and distract the opponents non stop. It didn't work out on Efren, To think, Efren was tired before the tournament, he played ten games in two days and a very hard 4th round in the semis.
I live in central América and I bet 85% of the people from here loves soccer, however I'm sure anybody could get in love with pool just by watching how Efren Reyes used to play and how humble he is.
I don't play so much pool but each time i get to watch Mr Effren, i get inspired to be better at whatever I do. His humility crowns it all. Such a wonder and a joy to watch. . . And then, he didn't forget to thank everyone. ♥
Millions of players worldwide of all skill levels have -- and continue to -- agree with your very well expressed sentiments. Thanks for posting that, Tokuna.
In many others, this might have sounded like false modesty. (Who after all believes he got lucky?) Yet one does get the feeling that Reyes is genuinely modest.
What is incredible about Efren Reyes is how much he has put up with Mike Sigel's talking through the game. His humbleness makes him more than a Champion. He has God's spirit.
Aaron: The significant thing to know is that Efren *_was not aggravated by it at all._* For this interesting reason: *Troubled grumbling by the opponent _ is the sound of music_ to a seasoned, and totally shark-proof high-stakes player. That "music" means a win is guaranteed and that's why Efren just smiles at it.* Efren, since age 16 had at this point been in high stakes action for 35 years -- winning an incredible 90% of his matches for his backers. You don't accomplish that if your concentration is fragile, vulnerable to sounds and intentional, visible misbehaving around you. especially in one of the most precise of all sports, where bare millimeters make the difference.
I been watching other youtube clips of Reyes and one commentator said it best - "I can play against Reyes just about as good as anyone...seeing how you can never get off your chair". Lol. I thought that summed up the magic of this player the best.
Siegel displays poor form - dreadful execution of shots, talking continuously whilst an opponent is shooting (lucky for him Efren is so easy going), crying after his shots , almost ‘begging’ the crowd for sympathy. Considering Siegel is supposed to be a world class player, this ‘exhibition’ is pathetic!!
They're mic'd up, Efren can't hear him muttering in his corner. But his talking at the table is just his style. Other than that this match was not a good representation of his skills lol, very unlike him. He looked shell shocked after that first set, never able to get going. Don't think he ever recovered.
That smile that Reyes sneaks in translates to "You Done Son," but seriously, both men had great respect for each other and the game. Real professionals.
I really like how the publisher of this video puts so much effort in answering the comments. I know almost nothing about pool besides casually playing sometimes, but his detailed answers make my life just a tad bit easier.
Thanks for the kind words, Wastery. To paraphrase the decades-old saying: "Flattery will get you everywhere." (The original tongue-in-cheek film dialogue had it as "Flattery will get you nowhere.")
lol so damn true....played it a week ago first time and my god i'm HOOKED....even thinking to buy a pool table so i could play while watching this magician reyes
I've known Efren for more than 30 years and can personally tell you that he has no equal for a lifetime of being gentlemanly, fair, humble, and respectful of other pros and spectators always -- meanwhile playing with unearthly skill and the imagination and vision of a true genius. *A humble genius -- that's a category of genius rarely seen in world history.* Such a decent, wholesome man. A wonderful role model for young and older folks alike, and for emerging players everywhere. Pool players of all ages around the world (and millions of non-players too) all love Efren. *His skills, sportsmanship and unmistakable human kindness dazzle everyone. He probably has inspired more players to begin playing our wonderful sport, than any player in recent history.*
Siegel you were the only the king..But the King cannot be matched with the Magician which is the toughest player to beat because he has all the shots that you wouldn't imagine and that is why Reyes is untouchable in pool!
Reyes is an absolute legend and he earned every bit of it. It's great to see someone who has spent so much of his life working for something finally take home the big prize and the title.
My wife Filipina, she's always remind me about him and Pachio being the greatest ,I am jamaican and I always remind her about Usain Bolt and Bob Marley being the greatest, but it's all fun ,we from 2 poor countries with these legends who famous all over the world.
Efrén Reyes is a legend, one of the best pool players in the World. I was lucky enough to witness 6 of his games back in Los Angeles in the 90`s. Lots of impossible shots but he made it looks very easy.
My uncle said that Efren doesn't believe in luck he believes in his hard work. He said that efren sleep on a billiard table way back and live in the billiard club during his youth and he knows it because he's always with him before he studied every move and angle how he can move the ball. It's a lot of work and no aching joke.
DJ: All professional pool players greatly admire Efren, and they often quote Efren's very witty comment about luck: *"The more I practice, the luckier I get"* .
The commentators were trapped in a *very tough, unenviable situation* that was rapidly going sideways with the vast disparity in the players' respective performances -- (Efren's compared to Mike's). The issue of apparent commentator bias has come up before, but they really had few workable options as the tapes were rolling and the match had to proceed, and seem to live up to the advance publicity. I'll explain the impossible situation the commentators were in (if we honestly visualize the situation from a TV production/business point of view). But first we have to give credit to the promoter/producer for coming up with the unusual, intriguing KOTH concept for this round-robin pro tournament and putting the potentially quite exciting event together (producer Kevin is the center commentator in the booth). Sigel had been playing wonderfully during his days of practicing just prior to the on-camera event - continually running 6 and 7 racks of 8-ball with ease and dazzling onlookers. But his universally respected, world-class game *just didn’t show up on game day* as sometimes happens to any pro. And as we’ve all experienced, when you’re playing badly, the pool-gods’ rolls seem to get even worse. Mike was clearly frustrated, and pertinent to your post (regarding perceived bias) -- think of the bewildering, embarrassing position the promoter and his two co-commentators were left with: How to (via rationalizations) convey to audiences, the pro player guests, broadcast executives (and not least -- the many sponsors) that while the event was indeed so unexpectedly *going sideways* (major performance disparities), the initial concept was quite valid and worth promoting it to the max, and worth doing so for planned future embodiments of the KOTH concept. Explanatory excuses and well-intentioned justifications are generally all the arsenal that any reasonable commentators are usually left with when any kind of sporting events or concert performances break down. We’ve all seen and paid to be at events that turned out to be sub-par, but far more discomforting is the commentating task/predicament of having to smooth things over as diplomatically as possible while the wheels are coming off. That’s the pickle in which the commentators were caught. They had a variety of programming and product-image obligations to consider in this case, and the treading-of-water to make the best of it, while inevitably coming off as “biased” commentary,arose simply from an unenviable need to put the best face on things. Goes with the territory naturally, but let’s admit - this was a very awkward position for anyone on-mic to be in, I think we’d all agree.
I hugely admire anyone on the Internet, who -- like yourself -- is secure and mature enough to state that additional situational facts have shed new light for them, and have appreciatively enacted a clear, more dimensioned view of an easily misunderstood issue. So, I in turn, readily thank you for your reply.
Actually a lot of it was not his fault, as you cannot control where all the balls go especially on a break. He got a lot of bad breaks after breaks and missed shots but sometimes that is just how it goes. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you get unlucky.
Yeah that is true, but also luck and bad luck do play a role as even Efren hits bad shots and misses just like the rest. No one can play perfectly every shot, eventually mistakes happen and from the build up of pressure. I also do the same thing when I play as I am a great safety player if I do not have a good shot, I am able to play a safety where I do not leave my opponent a shot or a good one, and much like Mike this can make some very antsy and frustrated, and then rush shots or hammer the balls out of frustration. But I would say that Efren is the best overall at all of that and keeping his composure and making hard shots for his opponent on his safeties. Mike is a hyper, and fast player and also has a temper so Efren can mess with him more.
God when Mike started making that comeback I was dying inside. We all know a Mike at the pool hall. A guy who has to explain everytime he misses and god forbid he makes it he will tell you how great he is even longer. Efren just plays and shuts up. Mike just hopes to distract yapping the whole time.
The fellow in the middle is the promoter who created the IPT, dreamed up the KOTH format, secured sponsors & production staff, and champion-level pros to appear. He’s naïve about the game’s nuances, but passionate nonetheless. Here he usefully serves as a relatable proxy for the intended, likely naïve, *general* TV audience with his innocent questions and reactions to the proceedings. The fellow on his right was a popular occasional baseball announcer with some pool experience, but clear misperceptions about pro-level actions and strategies. The lady is of course, LJ Jones, winner of dozens of women’s pro tourneys and many times BD’s player-of-the year. I saw her run a respectable 65 at the ’92 US Open 14.1 in NYC (under pressure) and she’s run many 100-ball practice runs, attesting to a high level of pool knowledge and ability.
ray carlton I play in a few leagues and I play a decent game and I've watched dozens of these pro tourny videos on UA-cam over the years. My comment was mostly due to my real 'surprise' at just how 'noobie' these guys sounded. If you listen to those other videos the 'colour' guys are usually VERY knowledgeable. I suppose they felt it was a good idea to include neophytes but really, would a casual or non-player make the effort to watch a video of a full match of pool? I used to see pool matches on Wide World of Sports 40 years ago, but they don't do that anymore. Probably because the non-player just wasn't interested.
While I fully understand your point of view Joel, you (and possibly some other readers) might not know that the promoter's "intended *general* audience" was not a *video* viewing audience as you have conjectured, but targeted/conceived/designed for (erroneously as it turned out) casual at-home cable/broadcast television-viewing audiences (i.e., viewers of the 2005 telecast and a few subsequent-years IPT programs). These well-intentioned single-occasion pool programs (generally loaded with commercials for product(s) manufactured by a single company -- health-related ones in this promoter's case) rarely worked out, -- precisely for the reason you accurately cite: "non-players just [weren't] interested" in tuning in to the telecast. Unfortunate, because the overall staging, directing and production elements were done to very high industry standards, were visually appealing, and quite well-paced and colorful. Some of commentary was improvable, but that's true of any audio/visual programming.
This isn’t only a pool match between two top class pool players but it’s also a lesson to everyone out there that even legends have a bad day at the office. Don’t be so hard on yourselves ladies and gents
Efren had been saying to dozens of interviewers and fellow pros that Mike is his favorite player for 15 years *before* this event occurred. Had nothing to do with this *indisputably* easy win. Most pool fans presently at middle age and older are very familiar with Efren's long time admiration for the CB control and rack-navigation patterns Mike displayed *during his peak years.* Here's a great example of Mike in his prime: ua-cam.com/video/PYGYGrChn5A/v-deo.html Billiards experts commented after that run: "Pool doesn't get any more perfect than this." Worth taking an hour to enjoy IMO. I was fortunate enough to have seen this NYC match in-person. Just an amazing feat on Mike's part -- when you really love the game.
Totally Agree. Pool doesn't get any more perfect than that. I'm glad you're somewhat familiar with Straight Pool (14.1 Continuous) and that heightens anyone's full appreciation of Mike's near-flawless 150-and-out accomplishment.
we’re all human. And Efren is efren and you are you. So to be proud to be philipino because another man who’s great at his skill is Philipino is just such a low standard for yourself. (I always thought this about everyone who said they’re proud to be a specific ethnicity, due to someone else being great).
You guys got Efren Reyes, a living legend, Manny Pacquiao, also a living boxing legend, and to a lesser extent Nonito Donaire- living boxing great, and Donnie Nietes- also modern living great in boxing! and several more all time top Pool players as well if I am not mistaken not bad sir!.
@@Sauul9FN Not at all, their is nothing wrong whatsoever with I guess you'd call it a side category of nationalistic pride in one's own nation of birth and its sportsman/athletes, I think your making an assumption like that is the only thing the guy above or people like him would have pride in, or they are inserting themselves into the accomplishments of someone simply because they share their same nationality/ or ethnic/racial background and etc. Now maybe some are like that and can take it to the extreme that'd be a fanatic not just a fan sure, but nothing wrong with being proud of your countrymen on just a pure sportsmansship/admirable etc level, and people are on average gonna tend to support their own nation and or tribes and root for/be proud of when their nations sportsman/athletes/ and etc accomplish things.
I have a feeling that Efren is breaking like that on purpose, on a consistent basis to throw Mike off. He makes it look like it's by accident, but he's doing it on all his breaks. Coincidence? No, it's Mr. Reyes putting you in a hole you can't dig yourself out of.
Exactly right, Jomai. Efren is so shrewd and so smart that he quickly grasped how badly *hyper-nervous* Mike was playing; he is then able to cleverly (and unnoticeably) take just enough power off his 8-ball break so that he not only doesn't leave a shot . . . but leaves so many clusters that there are also no viable safeties!! *In other words he leaves a table that only he can navigate well enough to win.* This is an *opponent-rattling technique* well known to high-stakes gamblers (like Efren) and most top road players. It doesn't work in games like 9-ball where there are far fewer balls crowding the table after the break.
My personal opinion is that Reyes is the greatest pool player of all time to play 8 ball, and he's in my top 3 9 ball players off all time. Plus he's probably the only pro pool player that could give a top 16 snooker player a good game at snooker! Playing both 9 ball and 8 ball I have to agree with what the commentators said, checkers and chess, love both games, prefer 8 ball! I've also played snooker on a full size snooker table, wow, if you think 8 ball is chess, then snooker is Grandmaster level chess!
22:00 -- "mike knows he's ready... he just needs a chance" but he had several chances. Efren is simply on another level. Mike is incredibly skilled but it's wrong to act like Efren did anything but whoop him here -- both players, talented, but Efren is one in a million. Great vid!
EV: Top sports coaches and sports physiologists of any sport always stress to their students the major psychological difference between being "prepared" and being "ready". Your training, rigorous practice sessions and years of possessing advanced skills get you well *"prepared"* for a given event, but being *ready* is entirely *mental and emotional* . . . and those two elements usually make the significant difference in the outcome on any given day during any major *one-on-one* sports event.
I don't follow pool and honestly had never heard of Mike Sigel. I have seen numerous videos of Efren Reyes making incredible shot after shot. Watching this match I got the impression Mike, in addition to being a great player (based on the comments of how many titles he has won) is also a showman, playing to the crowd. Efren, on the other hand is a head down, deadly accurate, get the job done shooter.
Efren Reyes is without ANY doubt whatsoever the best I've ever seen, and I'm 73, and I've seen them ALL...he's the best I've EVER seen.....he does the totally impossible, and makes it look EASY...and I shoot pool myself, so I know.
This was indeed a nerve wrecking Championship game. both players are world class. This is a game; sometimes you win and sometimes you lose Congratulations to both players.
V.P. -- This is a completely accurate and balanced comment. Refreshing indeed to read. Any top pro in the world will admit to more than a few high-stakes matches when his/her game just didn't show up. True for any sports or entertainment performer.
i had to watch this game with "mute", this mike guy is really salty and annoying af. wouldnt stop talking even when the opponent is hitting the ball. show some freaking respect ffs.
Excellent, empathetic & so-perceptive insight on your part, Nordic. Kudos young man, and thanks for the pleasant to read comment.. *And as you clearly understood, it reveals the full, exceptional character and human kindness that Efren exhibits every moment of his life* .
Such a nightmare for Sigel. He’s been sitting there for a while and when his turn comes, no easy shot. You need mental toughness in this kind of match..
Sometimes our greatest battle is against ourselves...What gives Effren the edge outside his Skills is His Mind...He has Such a powerful mind and never let his emotions get the best part of him in crucial times...Mike definitely lost on that part
feels like the commentators were so biased for Mike. And Efren was getting so-called "lay ups" because he was manufacturing those shots. His cue ball control is ridiculous!
Cant believe sigel was king of the hill, who did he play, amateurs? This dude's form and stroke looks stiff and he doesnt stay down on shots. Efren deserves this title.
I have seen "trick shot" shows of billiard legends. The balls are set but in the case of Efren Reyes, his shots (considered as trick shots?) were made in tournament finals and he won it, too! He is not only one of the greatest players in the world but the GREATEST!
There is no doubt Efren Reyes is the greatest pool player who ever handled the pool stick. His unpredictable shots on desperate situations were astounding that his peers dubbed him the "Magician". Not that he is unbeatable. In fact, some players were able to beat him on many occasions but never when the prizes were big and worth winning.
Totally biased commentary. They are always talking about Mike, regardless of who is shooting. Also it's BS to say Mike is missing only hard shots, truth is he isn't hitting is earlier shot correctly.
The commentators were trapped in a *very tough, unenviable situation* that was rapidly going sideways with the vast disparity in the players' respective performances -- (Efren's compared to Mike's). The issue of apparent commentator bias has come up before, but they really had few workable options as the tapes were rolling and the match had to proceed, and seem to live up to the advance publicity. I'll explain the impossible situation the commentators were in (if we honestly visualize the situation from a TV production/business point of view). But first we have to give credit to the promoter/producer for coming up with the unusual, intriguing KOTH concept for this round-robin pro tournament and putting the potentially quite exciting event together (producer Kevin is the center commentator in the booth). Sigel had been playing wonderfully during his days of practicing just prior to the on-camera event - continually running 6 and 7 racks of 8-ball with ease and dazzling onlookers. But his universally respected, world-class game *just didn’t show up on game day* as sometimes happens to any pro. And as we’ve all experienced, when you’re playing badly, the pool-gods’ rolls seem to get even worse. Mike was clearly frustrated, and pertinent to your post (regarding perceived bias) -- think of the bewildering, embarrassing position the promoter and his two co-commentators were left with: How to (via rationalizations) convey to audiences, the pro player guests, broadcast executives (and not least -- the many sponsors) that while the event was indeed so unexpectedly *going sideways* (major performance disparities), the initial concept was quite valid and worth promoting it to the max, and worth doing so for planned future embodiments of the KOTH concept. Explanatory excuses and well-intentioned justifications are generally all the arsenal that any reasonable commentators are usually left with when any kind of sporting events or concert performances break down. We’ve all seen and paid to be at events that turned out to be sub-par, but far more discomforting is the commentating task/predicament of having to smooth things over as diplomatically as possible while the wheels are coming off. That’s the pickle in which the commentators were caught. They had a variety of programming and product-image obligations to consider in this case, and the treading-of-water to make the best of it, while inevitably coming off as “biased” commentary,arose simply from an unenviable need to put the best face on things. Goes with the territory naturally, but let’s admit - this was a very awkward position for anyone on-mic to be in, I think we’d all agree.
biliar de los que no tienen
Gracias por tu comentario, Jordan. Me alegra que estés disfrutando los videos.
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 .
@@andywild2976 thanks i enjoyed viewing ur billiard.
Make's for an interesting tournament when both players are extremely nervous. 👍
poor Mike no lay ups, L.J.J. and the other commentator make it sound like Efren isn't shooting hard shots, high pressure $200,000 match every shot is difficult, Mike is just like E. Strickland talks to much, Efren says nothing he just kicks a** and smiles, I like that
Reyes the most humble player I've seen, his actions are louder then his words greatest ever.
I was so annoyed listening to these announcers, saying he had all easy shots etc. the reality is that his queue ball control was phenomenal and barely made any mistakes
He just met his GOAT.
"Than"
He is true gentleman in his sport. We’re so proud of this Filipino hero, a symbol of humility!
@@shizangle8761 no he had easy shots from the start
I think it's amazing how this video was put out 5 years ago yet the person who published it is still replying to comments and concerns of his viewers to this day. Much respect.
Glad you're enjoying the videos and my abundant replies, Markus.
*
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 of course. I always love to watch efren run them tables. Wish I could do the same
I came here to watch a couple of sets, and stood for the whole two hours. Reyes is the goat for sure
Glad you stayed and enjoyed it, Miguel. Thanks for the affirmative comment.
What is so amazing about Efren is that he is so humble. Its extremely rare in today's world that someone with his dominating skills and talent can remain so calm, respectful and humble. What a admirable person he is. I wish this game was more popular so that today's youth could have a role model like him to shape their outlook on sportsman ship and life!
Very well said sir
He is such a great man, and obviously a truly great player in a class all by himself. If you want to watch some outstanding Efren pool, go check out any of Jefgalung videos of him playing all comers in PI. He plays normally - kind of just horsing around - until he gets behind and close, then the "Real Efren" comes out and the man just can do no wrong and beats the opponent. I've watched a bunch of them and I believe he's actually lost one set, like out of 30-40.
The reason Reyes was getting such "Easy shots" or "Lay ups" is because he put himself in position for those shots. He did a great job.
WeLoveGoProHD the funny thing is that the stupid commentators believed mike had all the difficult shots. Way too biased.
Why am i still watching this at 3am in the morning when i have a meeting at 9:30? But goddamn. The sheer humility and lovable character of Reyes is so pleasing to watch
I've known Efren for more than 30 years and can personally tell you that he has no equal for a lifetime of being gentlemanly, fair, humble, and respectful of other pros and spectators always -- meanwhile playing with unearthly skill and the imagination and vision of a true genius. *A humble genius -- that's a category of genius rarely seen in world history*. Such a decent, wholesome man. A wonderful role model for young and older folks alike, and for emerging players everywhere. Pool players of all ages around the world (and millions of non-players too) all love Efren. *His skills, sportsmanship and unmistakable human kindness dazzle everyone. He probably has inspired more players to begin playing our wonderful sport, than any player in the 170-year history of professional billiards*.
Don't we all wanna be like Efren? Always smiling and laughing through our mistakes. Being humble and grateful. That's how all humans should be!
Good and actually profound sentiment, Gabriel. Except for certain occupations -- airline pilots, heart and brain surgeons, maternity ward nurses, radiologists -- we don't want those humans smiling and laughing thru their mistakes. We all agree on that, I'm sure.
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 Oh that's true, I was more talking about our mistakes in our daily lives at home, not feeling that heavy pressure all the time. Being at ease and realising that mistakes are part of life. I do agree that these people would never laugh about that
Technical mistake to be exact.
I believe that "efren reyes" is the greatest pool master in the world, he make the impossible to possible. They didn't calling him a magician for nothing. As a Filipino i am so proud of him.
the Real GOAT
Sigel is just talking all the time but Reyes is playing.
Mike's strategy is shoot his mouth and distract the opponents non stop. It didn't work out on Efren, To think, Efren was tired before the tournament, he played ten games in two days and a very hard 4th round in the semis.
just pool players that's àll
I live in central América and I bet 85% of the people from here loves soccer, however I'm sure anybody could get in love with pool just by watching how Efren Reyes used to play and how humble he is.
He is our LEGEND.
I don't play so much pool but each time i get to watch Mr Effren, i get inspired to be better at whatever I do. His humility crowns it all. Such a wonder and a joy to watch. . . And then, he didn't forget to thank everyone. ♥
Millions of players worldwide of all skill levels have -- and continue to -- agree with your very well expressed sentiments. Thanks for posting that, Tokuna.
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 I have just followed. Thank you.
i have never touched the cue till yoday 😅 still i am watching him 😅
After all those incredible shots, he just said at the end “I got lucky?” What a humble man
Jerickson Malacaman that’s when you know who’s the real champion of the world I mean he’s just a man that enjoys the game he’s the greatest
well yea it is a game of luck mostly. i say the same thing every time i win
He says that all the time
In many others, this might have sounded like false modesty. (Who after all believes he got lucky?) Yet one does get the feeling that Reyes is genuinely modest.
@@MrSkinkarde Physics be like: *WHAT AM I TO YOU ?*
“He’s joking on the outside.. but he’s dying on the inside”.. Commentators killin me 🤣💀
Omm😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
What is incredible about Efren Reyes is how much he has put up with Mike Sigel's talking through the game. His humbleness makes him more than a Champion. He has God's spirit.
Aaron: The significant thing to know is that Efren *_was not aggravated by it at all._* For this interesting reason: *Troubled grumbling by the opponent _ is the sound of music_ to a seasoned, and totally shark-proof high-stakes player. That "music" means a win is guaranteed and that's why Efren just smiles at it.* Efren, since age 16 had at this point been in high stakes action for 35 years -- winning an incredible 90% of his matches for his backers. You don't accomplish that if your concentration is fragile, vulnerable to sounds and intentional, visible misbehaving around you. especially in one of the most precise of all sports, where bare millimeters make the difference.
I was thinking the same thing!
You said that eloquently.
I can't believe i actually watch the whole match. Really me !
Watching these two well experienced players was really an honor.
Cheers to them!🎉
I been watching other youtube clips of Reyes and one commentator said it best - "I can play against Reyes just about as good as anyone...seeing how you can never get off your chair". Lol. I thought that summed up the magic of this player the best.
Siegel displays poor form - dreadful execution of shots, talking continuously whilst an opponent is shooting (lucky for him Efren is so easy going), crying after his shots , almost ‘begging’ the crowd for sympathy. Considering Siegel is supposed to be a world class player, this ‘exhibition’ is pathetic!!
They're mic'd up, Efren can't hear him muttering in his corner. But his talking at the table is just his style. Other than that this match was not a good representation of his skills lol, very unlike him. He looked shell shocked after that first set, never able to get going. Don't think he ever recovered.
Well said
Of course this shows up in my feed at 1:30 am. I still watched the whole thing, though. Efren is a breed of his own.
That smile that Reyes sneaks in translates to "You Done Son," but seriously, both men had great respect for each other and the game. Real professionals.
Thanks for your fair, balanced and accurate comment, Ali. (Amusing too.)
playing pool against efron looks so easy, you don't even have to pick up a cue.
Shady gaming its efren not efron
@@mariaantoniasalmingo453 thanx
Shady gaming you' re welcome
If you're playing Efren just use a house cue but bring your favorite chair. You'll enjoy the match more with a comfy chair.
😂
the only time I got nervous is when efren was asked to say something after winning. lol
incubusLive lol
Haha trueness! 😂😂😂
I speak fluent English but I do not have $200,000.
hahaha efren is fluently to inglish the cuball
I really like how the publisher of this video puts so much effort in answering the comments. I know almost nothing about pool besides casually playing sometimes, but his detailed answers make my life just a tad bit easier.
Thanks for the kind words, Wastery. To paraphrase the decades-old saying: "Flattery will get you everywhere." (The original tongue-in-cheek film dialogue had it as "Flattery will get you nowhere.")
"I got lucky" that's what I call being humble, this guy is a legend
Just spent an hour and 45 watching pool because I think I'm starting to become addicted
I'm robert. been addicted since 2001. nice to meet you
I have also given in to this. I'm even contemplating buying my own cue.
lol so damn true....played it a week ago first time and my god i'm HOOKED....even thinking to buy a pool table so i could play while watching this magician reyes
ray carlton more power to your channel ray...tnx for the uploads
Efren is such a calm and nice gentlmen
For Efren, I think the interview after the match is more challenging than the actual game. LOL
It's 2022 and I just finished watching the whole game. What a match!
Glad you enjoyed it, Khaled.
*
I like the way Efren is playing...cool..calm and collective....Mike is like a raving peacock....cannot shut up...
I'm watching pool for over 20 years now. Efren Reyes is the best all-round ever!!!!!
He's god.
No. He is the Magician
no,he is MAGICIAN GOD
no,he is MAGICIAN GOD
No,He Is A Human😆
One of the best and the humblest men in the sport!
I've known Efren for more than 30 years and can personally tell you that he has no equal for a lifetime of being gentlemanly, fair, humble, and respectful of other pros and spectators always -- meanwhile playing with unearthly skill and the imagination and vision of a true genius. *A humble genius -- that's a category of genius rarely seen in world history.* Such a decent, wholesome man. A wonderful role model for young and older folks alike, and for emerging players everywhere. Pool players of all ages around the world (and millions of non-players too) all love Efren. *His skills, sportsmanship and unmistakable human kindness dazzle everyone. He probably has inspired more players to begin playing our wonderful sport, than any player in recent history.*
It is always a great pleasure watching this humble player play his game!😂❤
Siegel you were the only the king..But the King cannot be matched with the Magician which is the toughest player to beat because he has all the shots that you wouldn't imagine and that is why Reyes is untouchable in pool!
jaytolentino13 that is truly indeed!
jaytolentino13 very well said
@@jomelpeligro3584 7
sigel is that guy at the bar who always talks over your shot and acts like it's not a problem when he does.
terribly annoying!
And gets angry if you do it to him, probably
Efren Reyes is a humble, decent and down to earth player. Great temperament which makes him greatest Pool player.
Reyes is truly the king, I love watching him. He really is humble.
Interesting to note, is the fact that Efren's last name is a literal pluralization of the Spanish word for *king* . . . . "rey".
Efren wins and his speech to the crowd he says, I Got Lucky. Humble
i think this was his little revenge to siegels trashtalk. Love that sarcasm.
Reyes is an absolute legend and he earned every bit of it.
It's great to see someone who has spent so much of his life working for something finally take home the big prize and the title.
A true Magician!
This is so true. Respect.
Efren is THE greatest player to play at any pool table.
I agree m8
I dont think anyone will argue with you on that.
My wife Filipina, she's always remind me about him and Pachio being the greatest ,I am jamaican and I always remind her about Usain Bolt and Bob Marley being the greatest, but it's all fun ,we from 2 poor countries with these legends who famous all over the world.
Announcer; "he's losing because the breaks are going against him." No, it's because it's Efren who's going against him.
Exactly!!!
Efrén Reyes is a legend, one of the best pool players in the World. I was lucky enough to witness 6 of his games back in Los Angeles in the 90`s. Lots of impossible shots but he made it looks very easy.
i think he is the best among them :D
It took a lot practice. And years of it
Efren feels no pressure or fear when shooting pool...The only nightmare is the interview. Lol
L. V. Gargiulo
2 months ago
BIG mouth silenced. LOL
Lol...Yea no doubt
My uncle said that Efren doesn't believe in luck he believes in his hard work.
He said that efren sleep on a billiard table way back and live in the billiard club during his youth and he knows it because he's always with him before he studied every move and angle how he can move the ball.
It's a lot of work and no aching joke.
DJ: All professional pool players greatly admire Efren, and they often quote Efren's very witty comment about luck:
*"The more I practice, the luckier I get"* .
16:35 "And meanwhile, Mike Sigel is thinking about buying one of those trucker's cushions for his chair." LMAOOOOOO
Lol
Commentators are making a LOT of excuses for Mike. He is missing balls, it is his own fault. Not bad luck.
The commentators were trapped in a *very tough, unenviable situation* that was rapidly going sideways with the vast disparity in the players' respective performances -- (Efren's compared to Mike's). The issue of apparent commentator bias has come up before, but they really had few workable options as the tapes were rolling and the match had to proceed, and seem to live up to the advance publicity. I'll explain the impossible situation the commentators were in (if we honestly visualize the situation from a TV production/business point of view). But first we have to give credit to the promoter/producer for coming up with the unusual, intriguing KOTH concept for this round-robin pro tournament and putting the potentially quite exciting event together (producer Kevin is the center commentator in the booth). Sigel had been playing wonderfully during his days of practicing just prior to the on-camera event - continually running 6 and 7 racks of 8-ball with ease and dazzling onlookers. But his universally respected, world-class game *just didn’t show up on game day* as sometimes happens to any pro. And as we’ve all experienced, when you’re playing badly, the pool-gods’ rolls seem to get even worse. Mike was clearly frustrated, and pertinent to your post (regarding perceived bias) -- think of the bewildering, embarrassing position the promoter and his two co-commentators were left with: How to (via rationalizations) convey to audiences, the pro player guests, broadcast executives (and not least -- the many sponsors) that while the event was indeed so unexpectedly *going sideways* (major performance disparities), the initial concept was quite valid and worth promoting it to the max, and worth doing so for planned future embodiments of the KOTH concept. Explanatory excuses and well-intentioned justifications are generally all the arsenal that any reasonable commentators are usually left with when any kind of sporting events or concert performances break down. We’ve all seen and paid to be at events that turned out to be sub-par, but far more discomforting is the commentating task/predicament of having to smooth things over as diplomatically as possible while the wheels are coming off. That’s the pickle in which the commentators were caught. They had a variety of programming and product-image obligations to consider in this case, and the treading-of-water to make the best of it, while inevitably coming off as “biased” commentary,arose simply from an unenviable need to put the best face on things. Goes with the territory naturally, but let’s admit - this was a very awkward position for anyone on-mic to be in, I think we’d all agree.
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 Thank you! This makes tons of sense and looking back it really is a terrible position for them.
I hugely admire anyone on the Internet, who -- like yourself -- is secure and mature enough to state that additional situational facts have shed new light for them, and have appreciatively enacted a clear, more dimensioned view of an easily misunderstood issue. So, I in turn, readily thank you for your reply.
Actually a lot of it was not his fault, as you cannot control where all the balls go especially on a break. He got a lot of bad breaks after breaks and missed shots but sometimes that is just how it goes. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you get unlucky.
Yeah that is true, but also luck and bad luck do play a role as even Efren hits bad shots and misses just like the rest. No one can play perfectly every shot, eventually mistakes happen and from the build up of pressure. I also do the same thing when I play as I am a great safety player if I do not have a good shot, I am able to play a safety where I do not leave my opponent a shot or a good one, and much like Mike this can make some very antsy and frustrated, and then rush shots or hammer the balls out of frustration. But I would say that Efren is the best overall at all of that and keeping his composure and making hard shots for his opponent on his safeties. Mike is a hyper, and fast player and also has a temper so Efren can mess with him more.
Efren is always hard to beat when money is involved. he never loss when bigger money is on the table. this is why he is the best in the business.
The algorithm bringing us together once again to watch this legend
God when Mike started making that comeback I was dying inside.
We all know a Mike at the pool hall. A guy who has to explain everytime he misses and god forbid he makes it he will tell you how great he is even longer.
Efren just plays and shuts up.
Mike just hopes to distract yapping the whole time.
What did he do to you?
@@uncleeric241 mikes acts like an arrogant kid how do u not see that
Mike talks too much...Effren is the better player
These commentators are killing me. The woman knows what she's talking about but WHY are these other two know-nothings even there?
The fellow in the middle is the promoter who created the IPT, dreamed up the KOTH format, secured sponsors & production staff, and champion-level pros to appear. He’s naïve about the game’s nuances, but passionate
nonetheless. Here he usefully serves as a relatable proxy for the intended, likely naïve, *general* TV audience with his innocent questions and reactions to the proceedings. The fellow on his right was a popular occasional baseball announcer with some pool experience, but clear misperceptions about pro-level actions and strategies. The lady is of course, LJ Jones, winner of dozens of women’s pro tourneys and many times BD’s player-of-the year. I saw her run a respectable 65 at the ’92 US Open 14.1 in NYC (under pressure) and she’s run many 100-ball practice runs, attesting to a high level of pool knowledge and ability.
ray carlton
I play in a few leagues and I play a decent game and I've watched dozens of these pro tourny videos on UA-cam over the years. My comment was mostly due to my real 'surprise' at just how 'noobie' these guys sounded. If you listen to those other videos the 'colour' guys are usually VERY knowledgeable. I suppose they felt it was a good idea to include neophytes but really, would a casual or non-player make the effort to watch a video of a full match of pool? I used to see pool matches on Wide World of Sports 40 years ago, but they don't do that anymore. Probably because the non-player just wasn't interested.
While I fully understand your point of view Joel, you (and possibly some other readers) might not know that the promoter's "intended *general* audience" was not a *video* viewing audience as you have conjectured, but targeted/conceived/designed for (erroneously as it turned out) casual at-home cable/broadcast television-viewing audiences (i.e., viewers of the 2005 telecast and a few subsequent-years IPT programs). These well-intentioned single-occasion pool programs (generally loaded with commercials for product(s) manufactured by a single company -- health-related ones in this promoter's case) rarely worked out, -- precisely for the reason you accurately cite: "non-players just [weren't] interested" in tuning in to the telecast. Unfortunate, because the overall staging, directing and production elements were done to very high industry standards, were visually appealing, and quite well-paced and colorful. Some of commentary was improvable, but that's true of any audio/visual programming.
This isn’t only a pool match between two top class pool players but it’s also a lesson to everyone out there that even legends have a bad day at the office. Don’t be so hard on yourselves ladies and gents
Sensible advice for anyone.
This is more entertaining than Mayweather vs McGregor.
Efren has said before the Mike Sigel is his favorite player.. and that is because this is the easiest $200,000 he has ever made!
Efren had been saying to dozens of interviewers and fellow pros that Mike is his favorite player for 15 years *before* this event occurred. Had nothing to do with this *indisputably* easy win. Most pool fans presently at middle age and older are very familiar with Efren's long time admiration for the CB control and rack-navigation patterns Mike displayed *during his peak years.* Here's a great example of Mike in his prime:
ua-cam.com/video/PYGYGrChn5A/v-deo.html
Billiards experts commented after that run: "Pool doesn't get any more perfect than this." Worth taking an hour to enjoy IMO. I was fortunate enough to have seen this NYC match in-person. Just an amazing feat on Mike's part -- when you really love the game.
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 okay thanks for the link
Let me know your impression after watching it, whenever you've seen it.
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 just finished watching, great performance from Mike
Totally Agree. Pool doesn't get any more perfect than that. I'm glad you're somewhat familiar with Straight Pool (14.1 Continuous) and that heightens anyone's full appreciation of Mike's near-flawless 150-and-out accomplishment.
Efren Reyes is the greatest pool player in the Universe
that celebration at the end was Effren's cue to let all his emotion during the game 😊.
What a living legend and I am proud to say I am FILIPINO ❤
we’re all human. And Efren is efren and you are you.
So to be proud to be philipino because another man who’s great at his skill is Philipino is just such a low standard for yourself.
(I always thought this about everyone who said they’re proud to be a specific ethnicity, due to someone else being great).
You guys got Efren Reyes, a living legend, Manny Pacquiao, also a living boxing legend, and to a lesser extent Nonito Donaire- living boxing great, and Donnie Nietes- also modern living great in boxing! and several more all time top Pool players as well if I am not mistaken not bad sir!.
@@Sauul9FN Not at all, their is nothing wrong whatsoever with I guess you'd call it a side category of nationalistic pride in one's own nation of birth and its sportsman/athletes, I think your making an assumption like that is the only thing the guy above or people like him would have pride in, or they are inserting themselves into the accomplishments of someone simply because they share their same nationality/ or ethnic/racial background and etc. Now maybe some are like that and can take it to the extreme that'd be a fanatic not just a fan sure, but nothing wrong with being proud of your countrymen on just a pure sportsmansship/admirable etc level, and people are on average gonna tend to support their own nation and or tribes and root for/be proud of when their nations sportsman/athletes/ and etc accomplish things.
59:22
Commentator: He doesn't have it
Reyes: Has it
Commentator: 😯
I have a feeling that Efren is breaking like that on purpose, on a consistent basis to throw Mike off. He makes it look like it's by accident, but he's doing it on all his breaks. Coincidence? No, it's Mr. Reyes putting you in a hole you can't dig yourself out of.
Exactly right, Jomai. Efren is so shrewd and so smart that he quickly grasped how badly *hyper-nervous* Mike was playing; he is then able to cleverly (and unnoticeably) take just enough power off his 8-ball break so that he not only doesn't leave a shot . . . but leaves so many clusters that there are also no viable safeties!! *In other words he leaves a table that only he can navigate well enough to win.* This is an *opponent-rattling technique* well known to high-stakes gamblers (like Efren) and most top road players. It doesn't work in games like 9-ball where there are far fewer balls crowding the table after the break.
@@raycarltonbilliards5798 That's super interesting!!
My personal opinion is that Reyes is the greatest pool player of all time to play 8 ball, and he's in my top 3 9 ball players off all time. Plus he's probably the only pro pool player that could give a top 16 snooker player a good game at snooker! Playing both 9 ball and 8 ball I have to agree with what the commentators said, checkers and chess, love both games, prefer 8 ball! I've also played snooker on a full size snooker table, wow, if you think 8 ball is chess, then snooker is Grandmaster level chess!
Awante Boca !! y Reyes !!
Superfly Samurai v 4f xm
Reyes is the best of all time
I like Mike, But Efren is the best living player in mho.
Efren is not fluent in English but speech was heartfelt ..good enough to understand that he is such a humble individual as ever
What do you mean? He IS fluent in English (cue ball English, that is)!
59:19 he's the GOAT
Funny how the lady in the red got sooo mad when he made that shot
@@andyrodriguez3586 She's Mike Sigel's wife, that's why
Best billiard player in the world...Efren Bata Reyes...Philippines.
Absolutely agreed upon worldwide !!!
Efron Reyes is a class act. I like how humble he is yet so confident on the pool table. Amazing job. Congrats.
The best man won - great show. Nice to see a humble champion - shows true class.
22:00 -- "mike knows he's ready... he just needs a chance" but he had several chances. Efren is simply on another level. Mike is incredibly skilled but it's wrong to act like Efren did anything but whoop him here -- both players, talented, but Efren is one in a million. Great vid!
EV: Top sports coaches and sports physiologists of any sport always stress to their students the major psychological difference between being "prepared" and being "ready". Your training, rigorous practice sessions and years of possessing advanced skills get you well *"prepared"* for a given event, but being *ready* is entirely *mental and emotional* . . . and those two elements usually make the significant difference in the outcome on any given day during any major *one-on-one* sports event.
I don't follow pool and honestly had never heard of Mike Sigel. I have seen numerous videos of Efren Reyes making incredible shot after shot. Watching this match I got the impression Mike, in addition to being a great player (based on the comments of how many titles he has won) is also a showman, playing to the crowd. Efren, on the other hand is a head down, deadly accurate, get the job done shooter.
HWP: Good observations on your part, and welcome to our beloved sport.
The king of pool, Master of humbleness... Efren...
Błażej Tetla humility*
59:20 A You got to be kidding shot.
😂🤣😂🤣 yeah... mike was also surprised!
Damn. I am very impressed. Efren is the king indeed.
I’ve never watched pro pool. EVER!!! This was a really fun watch. Very impressed by what I watched.
I appreciate the comment Johnathan. Glad you enjoyed it.
*
Efren Reyes is without ANY doubt whatsoever the best I've ever seen, and I'm 73, and I've seen them ALL...he's the best I've EVER seen.....he does the totally impossible, and makes it look EASY...and I shoot pool myself, so I know.
This was indeed a nerve wrecking Championship game. both players are world class. This is a game; sometimes you win and sometimes you lose Congratulations to both players.
V.P. -- This is a completely accurate and balanced comment. Refreshing indeed to read. Any top pro in the world will admit to more than a few high-stakes matches when his/her game just didn't show up. True for any sports or entertainment performer.
When Mike doesn't talk he plays well. He is still a legend though.
Efren the most humble player ever. Greatest pool player of all time in my opinion.
This never grows old. Especially when you're on a low ❤.
Thanks for that very apt comment. Gratifying to read that point of view, Solo.
i had to watch this game with "mute", this mike guy is really salty and annoying af. wouldnt stop talking even when the opponent is hitting the ball. show some freaking respect ffs.
well said. this guy keeps on trying to distract efren
I like how Efren giggles. He acted like it's lucky shot. Very humble pro player.
Fernando L phillipinos are very humble
59:24 and there is the magic omg 😍😍👌🏼👌🏼
Yea it is
Both are great.... But for my Money for the biggest money.... REYES is the man. Frankly he was feeling bad he beat another great player
Excellent, empathetic & so-perceptive insight on your part, Nordic. Kudos young man, and thanks for the pleasant to read comment.. *And as you clearly understood, it reveals the full, exceptional character and human kindness that Efren exhibits every moment of his life* .
I love that sound when the ball drops into the pocket
that is the best sound especially if your shooting but when watching I enjoy the que ball stike the object ball
Yeah
Mike is the best with his mouth, Efren is the greatest with his cue
🤣🤣😆😆😂😂
Such a nightmare for Sigel. He’s been sitting there for a while and when his turn comes, no easy shot. You need mental toughness in this kind of match..
Sometimes our greatest battle is against ourselves...What gives Effren the edge outside his Skills is His Mind...He has Such a powerful mind and never let his emotions get the best part of him in crucial times...Mike definitely lost on that part
feels like the commentators were so biased for Mike. And Efren was getting so-called "lay ups" because he was manufacturing those shots. His cue ball control is ridiculous!
"See ya later" he says. I died.
He talks too much. Efren lets his cue talk.
27:18 did he also move the blue solid?
yeaa he did
June 2022 and am watching! Love it!
Cant believe sigel was king of the hill, who did he play, amateurs? This dude's form and stroke looks stiff and he doesnt stay down on shots. Efren deserves this title.
The best pool Player The Magician Efren Bata Reyes
@@chucklesdarwinwaswrongevol9264 yeah
Efren is so smooth the fluidity of his shots is masterful, he truly makes it look effortless.
59:19 🔥🔥🔥 Probably one of the greatest moments in the match.
I have seen "trick shot" shows of billiard legends. The balls are set but in the case of Efren Reyes, his shots (considered as trick shots?) were made in tournament finals and he won it, too! He is not only one of the greatest players in the world but the GREATEST!
reyes took sigel to school
bebo7002 hes playing against the legend of the game , he might be the king of the hill , but efren is the legend of the game
Always love it when Efren gets into a tough position it's always our chance to see magic
i have an exam tomorrow morning and found myself watching this lmao
There is no doubt Efren Reyes is the greatest pool player who ever handled the pool stick. His unpredictable shots on desperate situations were astounding that his peers dubbed him the "Magician". Not that he is unbeatable. In fact, some players were able to beat him on many occasions but never when the prizes were big and worth winning.
And let’s be honest the better player can lose a lot of the times in pool if someone is having a good day they can clear tables easily
Totally biased commentary. They are always talking about Mike, regardless of who is shooting.
Also it's BS to say Mike is missing only hard shots, truth is he isn't hitting is earlier shot correctly.
The commentators were trapped in a *very tough, unenviable situation* that was rapidly going sideways with the vast disparity in the players' respective performances -- (Efren's compared to Mike's). The issue of apparent commentator bias has come up before, but they really had few workable options as the tapes were rolling and the match had to proceed, and seem to live up to the advance publicity. I'll explain the impossible situation the commentators were in (if we honestly visualize the situation from a TV production/business point of view). But first we have to give credit to the promoter/producer for coming up with the unusual, intriguing KOTH concept for this round-robin pro tournament and putting the potentially quite exciting event together (producer Kevin is the center commentator in the booth). Sigel had been playing wonderfully during his days of practicing just prior to the on-camera event - continually running 6 and 7 racks of 8-ball with ease and dazzling onlookers. But his universally respected, world-class game *just didn’t show up on game day* as sometimes happens to any pro. And as we’ve all experienced, when you’re playing badly, the pool-gods’ rolls seem to get even worse. Mike was clearly frustrated, and pertinent to your post (regarding perceived bias) -- think of the bewildering, embarrassing position the promoter and his two co-commentators were left with: How to (via rationalizations) convey to audiences, the pro player guests, broadcast executives (and not least -- the many sponsors) that while the event was indeed so unexpectedly *going sideways* (major performance disparities), the initial concept was quite valid and worth promoting it to the max, and worth doing so for planned future embodiments of the KOTH concept. Explanatory excuses and well-intentioned justifications are generally all the arsenal that any reasonable commentators are usually left with when any kind of sporting events or concert performances break down. We’ve all seen and paid to be at events that turned out to be sub-par, but far more discomforting is the commentating task/predicament of having to smooth things over as diplomatically as possible while the wheels are coming off. That’s the pickle in which the commentators were caught. They had a variety of programming and product-image obligations to consider in this case, and the treading-of-water to make the best of it, while inevitably coming off as “biased” commentary,arose simply from an unenviable need to put the best face on things. Goes with the territory naturally, but let’s admit - this was a very awkward position for anyone on-mic to be in, I think we’d all agree.
Efren reyes is legend. No one is even close to him.
So proud of him. A very humble man indeed.