THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 26, 1994 TAG: 9409260252
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Efren Reyes of the Philippines became the first non-American to win the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship, defeating Nick Varner, 9-6, in Sunday night's title match.
The 38-year-old Reyes, the top-ranked player in the Philippines, never trailed in his match with the Pro Billiards Tour's top money winner and points leader.
The first two games were split. Reyes, known as ``The Magician'' on the tour, then won four in a row. Varner rallied to pull within a game at 7-6, but Reyes closed out with a pair of wins.
``My hat goes off to Efren,'' Varner said. ``He really played well. And for the first time this week, I just couldn't make a ball on the break.''
Reyes, who spoke through an interpreter, said he ``was happy to finally be first. It seems I always finish second.'' He was runner-up to Earl Strickland in the recent World's 9-Ball Tournament.
Reyes, one of five Filipino players in the tournament, will take $15,000 home to Manila.
``It's disappointing not to win,'' said Varner, from Owensboro, Ky. ``But that's (second) the best place to finish if you don't win.''
Twice during commercial pauses in the ESPN telecast (which will be shown Dec. 26) Varner walked over to the VIP seating area to talk with his wife, Toni. They were married 11 months ago.
``He's gonna win,'' Toni said.
Varner, who chews gum throughout his matches, earned $8,000 for his runner-up finish.
In semifinal matches earlier Sunday, also to be shown by ESPN in December, Reyes defeated Tony ``Hurricane'' Ellin, 9-4, and Varner beat 1992 Open champion Tommy Kennedy, 9-3. Ellin and Kennedy each won $5,000.
C.J. Wiley and Buddy Hall, the 1991 Open winner, finished fifth and sixth, both getting $2,500.
Kim Davenport and Rodney Morris finished seventh and eighth, winning $2,000 each.
Defending champion Earl Strickland, Cliff Joyner, Jose Parica and Steve Mizerak each won $1,600 for finishing ninth through 12th.
Pro Billiards Tour commissioner Don Mackey said negotiations will start next week with ESPN in an effort to have all tournaments televised live the next two years.
The Open is expected to return to Chesapeake for its 20th renewal next year. by CNB