DJANGO BEATS BATA RULES JAPAN 9-BALL OPEN; POCKETS 1.5 MILLION YEN

FORMER WORLD NO.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante defeated compatriot Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-7, in an all-Filipino finals to win the championship of the 23^rd Japan 9-Ball Open in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday.

Bustamante, a native of Tarlac City, captured the top prize of 1.5 million yen (about P675,00) in clinching his first major title this year.

To reach the finals, Bustamante hurdled past countryman Jeffrey “The Bull” De Luna in the semi-final round while Reyes subdued Japanese Toru Kuribayashi in the other final four matches.

It was second Japan 9-Ball Open title of Bustamante, top player of Aristeo “Putch” Puyat of Puyat Sports, who also won the 2002 edition.

“Once again, congratulations Django (Bustamante). You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph,” said RP billiards godfather Putch Puyat.

Other Filipino bets topped the annual Japan 9-ball Open prestigious event participated by more than 400 cue artists from all over the world are Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego (2009), Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo (2008), Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan (2007), Antonio “Nickoy” Lining (2006) and Reyes (2005).

Last November, Bustamante defeated Lining, 11-7, in an all-Filipino finals to win the championship of the 2009 All Japan 9-Ball Championship at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan en route two million Yen (roughly P800,000) in that event.

Other Filipino cue artists competed in the annual Japan 9-Ball Open were Lining, Gallego, Frennie Reyes (Son of Efren “Bata” Reyes), Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, Roel Esquillo, Renemar David , Cresencio Bariton, Dondon Razalan , Elmer Haya, Lauro Bongay, Valeriano Pajuay, Ronie Aying and Mark Aristotle Mendoza, the 2010 All Kansai 9-Ball Open champion.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.