Chao in control as bad breaks hound Reyes

MANILA, Philippines - Efren “Bata” Reyes struggled with his break and played catch-up all throughout to yield the upper hand to Chao Fong Pang halfway through their duel in Face Off Series 2: The Grandmasters Wednesday night at Club Capo Exclusive in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

But with the score at 25-18, it remains too close to call the victory for the visiting Taiwanese, especially against the sport’s all-time great.

The second half of the race-to-50 nine-ball marathon, which was the first billiards match in the country to be aired on pay-per-view thru www.clubcapo.tv, was slated to be played last night with the winner set to receive $10,000.

“I couldn’t get the right break and he is playing almost flawless that’s why he is ahead,” said Reyes, who came into the match as the favorite to win this second edition of the series presented by Club Capo in cooperation with Bugsy Promotions and JBET.net, and supported by Nuvo City, Outlast Battery, Puyat Sports and Negros Billiards Stable with The Philippine Star as the official media partner.

“But it’s still a long way to go, and I’m still positive that I can find the right stroke and I would be able to overcome his lead,” added the 55-year-old pool icon.

After splitting the first 10 racks, Chao, with his impeccable pocketing, claimed the next three to go up 8-5. But Reyes came back and was able to tie the count at 11-all.

It was a seesaw battle in the next six racks with both players breaking dry, until Chao uncorked a 4-0 blast to take an 18-14 lead.