BUSTAMANTE, CORTEZA GOT OFF TO HOT START IN US OPEN 10-BALL TOURNEY IN LAS VEGAS MEET

LIVING up to their high billing, Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza got off to a blazing start after winning their opening games in the inauguration of 2010 US Open 10-ball championship at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada, USA yesterday (Tuesday in Manila time).

The former World no.1 Bustamante, playing under the banner of sportsman/ businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat blasted Neil Cummins of the USA (9-0) while the reigning national open champion Corteza, the top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) defeated Tony Robles of the USA (9-6) to march lead early winners in this true double elimination, winner’s break format.

Bustamante and Corteza, both member of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) recently won big tournaments in abroad, are heavy favorite in this US$89,000 total pot prize event with the champion getting the lion share of US$20,000.

“We expect na maganda ang magiging resulta ng mga top Filipino pool players’ natin dito sa 1st US Open 10-ball,” said RP billiards patron Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.

“Samahan ng dasal at sana muling pumabor ang bola para manalo ulit tayo,” Bugsy Promotions president Perry Mariano referring the continues winning ways of the Filipino pool sharks from Corteza, Bustamante and the latest one courtesy of Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo who capture the 2010 Party Poker World Pool Masters 9-ball crown last Monday.

“ Maganda ang ipinakikita ng mga players’ natin kaya kumpiyansa ako na makukuha din natin itong korona sa US 10-ball tour,” said NBS president Jonathan Sy.
“Good start,” added Bustamante, who won the inaugural event of the World Professional Billiard League’s Super Series of Billiards at the Mc Phillips Station Casino in Winnipeg, Canada, two weeks ago.
“Pinilit ko talaga na makauna at makalayo agad para makaiwas sa silat,” said the Davao City native Corteza, also won the 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles California, USA, two weeks ago.
According to Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica, who acted the spokesman of the group, Corteza jumped off a 7-2 lead against Robles and never looked back.

“Talagang iniwanan agad ni Van-Van (Corteza) si Tony (Robles) sa pagsisimula ng laro. Bagama’t lumaban pa si Tony sa bandang huli pero nanaig y’ung determinasyon ni Van-Van,” said Mistica, who is best to remember by beating Filipino pool legend Jose “Amang” Parica in the mid 80’s.

Sharing the limelight are Al Lapena who trounced Peter Dimmick of the USA (9-4) as well Edwin Montal subdued beautiful actress and woman pool player Jennifer Baretta of the USA (9-6) to keep the Philippine flag in a high note.

Late Tuesday, Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo, former fisherman from Bislig Surigao, del Sur goes up against Raj Hundal of India; 2007 World Pool finalist  Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez opposite Imram Majid of Great Britain, Jose “Amang” Parica will square off with Sarah Rousey of the USA, world 9-ball and 8-ball ruler Ronnie “Volcano” Alcano will meet Bill Stock of the USA, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco opposite PJ Massicote of the USA, and hall of famer and 2010 Player of the Decade Efren “Bata” Reyes versus Bobby Weimar of the USA.

Other notable first round winners were former WPA World Junior champion Ko Pin-yi and Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan, World 9-ball champion Daryl Peach and Karl Boyes of Great Britain, Marcus Chamat of Sweden, Tony “The Tornado” Drago of Malta, Marco Tschudi of Switzerland and legendary Earl “The Pearl” Strickland and John Schmidt of the USA.

Over-all ten Filipinos competing here (US Open 10-ball) according to Mistica.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.