POOL legend Efren “Bata” Reyes is now in the comforts of his home in Angeles City in Pampanga a day after he and several others were “lectured” by authorities about observing strict health protocols.
Reyes was invited to play in an exhibition match against an unidentified opponent in San Pedro, Laguna, on Thursday but because of a big crowd that gathered around the sports icon, health protocols especially social distancing was breached, prompting barangay officials and police to stop the event.
Reports said Reyes was arrested but Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) Secretary-General Robert Mananquil clarified to BusinessMirror on Sunday that the 66-year-old Reyes was neither apprehended nor charged.
“Bata [Reyes] and the spectators were brought to the barangay hall in San Vicente in San Pedro and were all lectured on proper health protocols and social distancing,” Mananquil said.
“I just spoke with him [Reyes] after he woke up earlier this morning and he’s fine at his home in Pampanga,” Mananquil sad. “He told me that he was just invited to play pool and there was a clearance from the barangay to play. But the crowd just grew big.”
“He wasn’t arrested by the police and nobody was arrested,” he stressed.
Videos of the game circulated in social media in the past few days.
“Billiards is a non-contact sport and players are following all protocols. Bata [Reyes] is often invited to play in different places,” he added.
Reyes didn’t return calls or replied to text messages.