BATA, DJANGO LEAD FILIPINOS IN JAPAN OPEN

BILLIARDS masters Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante expect a tough grind when they spearhead the Filipinos charge in the 23^rd annual Japan Open gets underway on March 20 in Tokyo, Japan.

Both Reyes and Bustamante, the 1-2 punch of businessman/ sportsman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat of Puyat Sports, acknowledge RP Billiards God Father who feted Major awardee of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) during the Annual Awards Night last Monday at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

“It will be a very tough match against the top Asian players (Chinese-Taipei, China, Korea and Vietnam) not to be outdone players from Europe and America,” said the 55-year-old Reyes in Filipino.

Bustamante agreed with his long-time buddy.

“We are expecting tough matches but we will try our best for flag and country,” said the Tarlac City pride Bustamante, who topped the 2009 All Japan 9-Ball Championship at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan last November.

Previous Japan Open winner Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego (2009) and Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo (2008), 2010 Kyoto 9-ball Open ruler Mark Aristotle Mendoza, 2008 Kyoto 9-ball Open titlist Dondon Razalan, Roel Esquillo and Elmer Haya also vying in the two-day (March 20 and 21) 9-ball competition which offers two million yen (P835,127) to the champion in the Asian Pocket Billiards Union (APBU)-sanctioned event.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO