“BATA”, “DJANGO” TOPS POOL MONEY LIST

FILIPINO billiards master Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante dominated the latest 2010 Player Money List, which includes 2 other Filipino tumbok king in the top 10.

According to AZbilliards.com report yesterday, the 55-year-old Angeles City pride Reyes, the 2010 Player of the Decade, had total earnings of $71,012 and remained on top.
Reyes, dubbed as “The Magician” in the world of pool won the 2010 Spanish Open in Vigo, Spain last June 21 to 23 to received the top prize of $7,432. He bested Niels “The Terminator” Feijen of the Netherlands in the finals.

However, the biggest pool money earner is the 47-year-old Tarlac City native Bustamante, who climbed at No.2 spot with $69,338 after winning the 2010 World Pool Championships in Doha, Qatar last July 2 to 5 to enroute the top prize of $36,000. He beat “The Little Monster” Kuo Po-cheng of Chinese-Taipei for the coveted crown and joined the elite Filipino world 9-ball champion that includes Reyes (1999, Cardiff, Wales), Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan (2004, Kaohsiung, Chinese-Taipei) and Ronato “Volcano” Alcano ( Pasay City, Philippines).

Third in the money list si American’s Shane Van Boening with $50,591, followed by Briton’s Karl Boyes (4th) with $41,120, and two-time national open champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza (5th) with $37,625.
Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable (NBS), won back-to-back wins in the US Pool circuit—Hard Times Mezz Cue 10-ball in Los Angeles, California and 1st US Open 10-ball in Las Vegas, Nevada.

At 6th and 7th spots are Briton Darren Appleton and Filipino Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo, respectively. Appleton, the 2008 World Ten-Ball Champion, has $35,104 worth of winnings while the former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur Orcullo, the 2010 World Pool Masters Champion has $33,775.
Rounding up to the top ten (10) are Niels “The Terminator” Feijen of the Netherlands ($33,488), 2007 World Pool Champion Daryl Peach of Great Britain ($31,512) and Rodney “Rocket” Morris of the United States ($26,252).

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO