Saturday, September 15, 2007

BATA, DJANGO ADVANCE TO SEMIS IN SMB RP 9-BALL OPEN

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---POOL MAESTRO Efren "Bata" Reyes and reigning two-time defending champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante have secured slots in the semifinals of the 4th annual San Miguel Beer (SMB) Philippine Open 9-ball Championship.

Reyes, the 1999 Cardiff World 9-ball champion beat giant killer Panfilo "Abu Linkok" Damuag (9-6), while fellow Puyat Sport stablemate Bustamante, the 2002 Cardiff World 9-ball runner-up trounced 2006 Doha Asian games 9-ball gold medalist Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica (9-7).

Reyes and Bustamante, the top two prize fighter of RP billiards patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat are the only undefeated players in this 32 man field.

Reyes's road to the final four came from wins over Eduardo "Pikoy" Villanueva (9-2), Biado (9-5),Warren "Warrior" Kiamco (9-7), before beating the 30-year-old Damuag, playing under the banner of rising Negros Billiard Stable (NBS. While Bustamante's road to the semis came from wins over Danny Otacan (9-1), Rene "Bata" Cruz (9-6), Jundel "Jano" Mazon (9-6), before downing the 35-year-old Gabica from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Reyes, also known as "The Magician" in pool world set up final four clash with Gabica, who brought down Biado (9-6) in the loser's brackets while Bustamante, the 2007 UPA Pro Tour 9-ball winner will face current double world champion Ronato "Volcano"Alcano, winner over Damuag (9-6) in the other one-loss side matches.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

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