HE may have lost out in the bigger pool prizes, but Francisco “Django” Bustamante has done what Efren Reyes has failed in the past three years—win a major pool title in Philippine soil.
Bustamante defeated Leonardo Didal, 17-11, to bag the San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-Ball Open at the Casino Filipino late Friday night.
Major title
Despite winning a major title, Bustamante, who paired with his friend Efren “Bata” Reyes to take the inaugural World Cup of Pool title, isn’t resting on his laurels.
“It is better if I won a world championship,” Bustamante said in a report posted at Azbilliards.com
Bustamante finished runner-up to Earl Strickland in an emotional final in 2002, when his daughter died a few days before his match with Strickland.
“I hope my luck will continue until the WPC (World Pool Championship). The Philippine Open is a nice warm up for before the WPC,” said Bustamante, who earned P500,000.
The World Pool Championships will be staged in Manila next month, and Bustamante is seeded 10th, while Reyes, who earned $500,000 in the World 8-Ball Championship, is seeded second.
Four racks
Didal started hot in the final as he took a 7-5 lead, before Bustamante caught up at 9 all and took four straight racks for a comfortable 13-9 lead.
After the Philippine Open, Bustamante, will fly to Moscow for the 1st International Tour on Oct. 18-21. (ML)
