DJANGO WINS BUT BATA LOST TO GOMEZ IN US 10-BALL TOUR

ROBERTO “Pinoy Superman” Gomez display his nerved and steel in the end game to edged hall of famer and compatriot Efren “Bata” Reyes, acknowledged as the greatest player of all-time played (9-6) to keep Filipino hopes flying high in the on-going 2010 US Open 10-ball championship yesterday (Tuesday night in US) at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada.

The Divisoria, Zamboanga native Gomez, dubbed as local version of Superman escaped the kryptonite of Reyes broke the 6-all deadlock winning the last three racks.

” Magaling talaga si Champ (Efren Reyes), bagama’t nakauna agad ako ay naka dikit siya at talagang dikdikan ang laban namin, sinuwerte lamang sa bandang huli,” said the 2007 World Pool Finalist Gomez, who jumped a 3-1 lead before Reyes close the gap at 3-all in the 6th racks. The game was tied at 5-all to 6-all before Gomez winning the last three racks in their close fought encounter, using the winner’s break format.
Gomez, who beat Imrad Majid of Great Britain (9-2) in the first round will square off with Jason Klatt of the US in the next round, winner over compatriots Andrew Pettenger (9-8) and Johnny Archer (9-4), respectively.

Francisco “Django” Bustamante,meantime had an easy time disposing of Toru Kuribayashi of Japan (9-2).
” Talagang hindi ko binigyan ng pagkakataon si Kuribayashi (Toru), mahirap ng masilat lalu na’t finalist siya ng World Pool Masters,” said Bustamante, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports, who is fresh from winning a tournament in Winnipeg, Canada, two weeks ago.

” I think we have a good chances to win considering our top pool players dominating in the international event in the past,” said sportsman/ businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, acknowledged God Father of Philippine Billiards.

Expect another Filipino will fell in the loser’s brackets of this true double elimination format, after Bustamante goes up against country Edwin Montal in the third round. Montal bested 1996 US Open 9-ball ruler John Schmidt of the US (9-8).

Also with two wins were Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza, Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo, Ronato “Volcano” Alcano, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, and Al Lapena.

Corteza, playing under the baton of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable trounced Chris Bartram of the United States (9-5), Orcullo nipped John Morra of Canada (9-3), Alcano waylaid Glenn Atwell of the USA (9-0),Kiamco defeated Huidje See of the Netherlands (9-2), and Lapena smashed Tommy Najar of US (9-1).
” Matatag talaga si Bartram (Chris), buti na lamang pumabor y’ung bola sa akin sa end game,” said NBS stalwart Corteza.

Jose “Amang” Parica also regelated in the loser’s side in this $89,000 total pot prize tournament which offers$20,000 to the champion.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO