By MARK REY MONTEJO
Many youngsters aspired to be like Mike (Michael Jordan), LeBron James and perhaps Steph Curry in basketball, Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in tennis.
On the local scene, some youngsters want to be the next Paeng Nepomuceno, Robert Jaworksi, Flash Elorde or Manny Pacquiao.
But for rising star AJ Manas, 17, he knows exactly whose footsteps he will follow and that’s none other than billiards icon Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes who is widely considered as the greatest of all time.
Despite coming from a broken family, Manas learned the rudiments of the sport from his grandfather inside their humble abode at a young age of seven.
It was also there where his interest in the sport grew rapidly as he watched Reyes’ games online in awe with the “maestro” coming through with some of magical shots that dropped the ball even at the most difficult situation.
For Manas it was a pure testament of how experience works – which the Antipolo City native yearns to achieve when the time is right.
“Pangarap ko po ‘yon and minsan na-iimagine ko narin po,” said during Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night at the Manila Hotel.
“He’s my inspiration.”
“Pero ‘yon po kailangan ko parin samahan ng pagpupursige at disiplina,” he added.
“Alam ko pong magiging mahirap, pero sisikapin ko pong magbigay ng karangalan sa bansa,” Manas continued.
Almost three years ago, Manas, who was 15 years old at that time, shocked billiards enthusiasts – even himself – when he beat Reyes in Bacolod, 8-5.
That was the start of his rise as he managed to represent the country in high-level competitions.
In 2023, he made his mark in the pro scene after winning the inaugural Hanoi Junior Open and sealed ninth place in the star-studded Chinese Taipei Open.
The graduating Grade 12 student received a special citation in the annual sports event after beating compatriot Harry Vergara, 13-12, to conquer the 9-Ball 99 Billiards Club Hanoi Tournament in Vietnam last October.
