Ko upstages Bata in PBB Face-Off

TAIWANESE PIN YI KO downed Filipino pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-4, to win the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face-Off Series dubbed Philippines versus Asia late Saturday at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City.

After a 2-all deadlock in the fourth frame, the former World 9-ball and 8-ball Champion Reyes never had a chance to return to the table after Ko raced to a 6-2 and 8-4 lead.

Ko, who joined Manila-based Bugsy Promotions of billiards patron Ceferino “Perry” Mariano last December along with fellow Taiwanese Kun Lin Chang, goes up against World 9-ball kingpin Francisco “Django” Bustamante on Feb. 25.

“Luck played a part in my victory,” said the two-time World Junior Champion Ko through an interpreter. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino