Source: Marlon Bernardino, ABS-CBN News
-- Francisco “Django” Bustamante defeated compatriot Efren “Bata” Reyes, bagging the top prize of the 23rd Japan 9-Ball Open in Tokyo on Sunday.
Bustamante edged Reyes, 9-7, in the all-Filipino final to capture his 2nd Japan 9-Ball Open title. He first won the Japan Open title in 2002.
He captured the top prize of 1.5 million yen (more than P750,000) after clinching his first major title this year.
En route to the final, Bustamante beat fellow Filipino Jeffrey “The Bull” de Luna in the semifinal round while Reyes subdued Japanese Toru Kuribayashi in the other Final 4 match.
“Once again, congratulations Django (Bustamante). You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph,” RP billiards godfather Putch Puyat said of the top player of Puyat Sports.
Other Filipinos who joined the Japan 9-Ball Open were Antonio “Nickoy” Lining, Ramil “Bebeng” 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.
More than 400 cue artists from all over the world competed in the annual event.
Aside from Bustamante, other Filipinos who ruled the Japan 9-ball Open are Gallego (2009), Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo (2008), Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan (2007), Lining (2006) and Reyes (2005).
Bustamante’s 2010 Japan Open win comes after his victory at the 2009 All Japan 9-Ball Championship last November.
He prevailed over Lining, 11-7, in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo and took home 2 million yen (more than P1 million).
Monday, March 22, 2010
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