Saturday, June 23, 2007 The hand that racks the table
FRANCISCO “Django” Bustamante displayed a steady hand to complete an undefeated run to win a tough 72-field of Hard Times Summer Jamboree’s 9-Ball tournament yesterday in Sacramento, California, USA.
Bustamante defeated John Schmidt in the final with an 11-7 mastery, to complete his winning run after he was denied by compatriot Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan during the World Summit of Pool early last week.
Following a bye in the first round, Bustamante sent Schmidt to the loser’s bracket with a 9-6 win in the second and racked up three more wins to secure the finals.
Contested
Bustamate defeated young Filipino hotshot Deo Alpajora 9-6, then with a 9-0 sweep over Joe Gebron, followed by a 9-3 over Jeff Gregory another 9-4 win over Gerardo Jamito and over Tyler Edey with a 9-5 win.
Schmidt on the other hand rose back from the one-loss side sweeping 10 opponents that include a win over Filipino Marlon Manalo 7-5.
It was a tough ride for Schmidt as he defeated Frank Nordmann 7-4, Ike Runnels, 7-3, Ed Ames 7-4, Marshall Williams 7-3, Alex Copel 7-0, Bobby Hunter 7-3, Louie Ullrich 7-4, Gerardo Jamito 7-6, Manalo 7-5 and Edey 7-5 before Bustamante ended his winning streak in the finals.
Rewards
The win earned Bustamante a total of $3,500 while Schmidt received $2,200. Edy, who was the third placer, earned $1,500 while fourth placer Manalo went home with $1,000.
Jose “Amang” Parica who was earlier riding along with Bustamante with four wins suddenly faltered as he lost to Jamito in the fifth round 7-9 before he lost to Manalo from the one-loss side 4-7. Parica instead earned just placed ninth and earned $350. (RCM)
