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Efren Takes 5th DCC Master of the Table
Jan 30, 2010, 2:39 PM

ELIZABETH, Ind. -- Entering the ninth round of play in the Derby City Classic 9-ball division, John Brumback needed a little help to hold onto his lead in total points in the all-around competition. Unfortunately for Brumback, who won last year's $20,000 award by a half point, he was rooting against two of the toughest players in the world - Efren Reyes and Alex Pagulayan.

While Pagulayan obliged, losing a 7-4 match to Shannon Murphy, Reyes did not. The Filipino legend edged Jamie Baraks, icing his bid for the Master of the Table with a 7-4 victory.

Brumback currently has 153.7 points, with Reyes sitting at 116. But because points per event may depend on the number of people who tie for a certain spot, players cannot receive points until they are eliminated. Reyes will be assured of a finish no worse than tied-for-third, which will give him at least 63.3 points, enough to secure the all-around title.

For Reyes, the top prize is his fifth in 12 years at the annual nine-day festival in the Louisville, Ky. area, after taking the Master of the Table in 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2007. This year, the Magician's success wasn't constricted to the main divisions, either. In the Fatboy 10-Ball Challenge, a 16-player single-elimination event held after hours, Reyes beat Johnny Archer and Brandon Shuff to take the $6,500 top prize.

The final rounds of the 9-ball division are currently underway. Check www.dcctickets.com for current matches and past results.