MORE ON THE DERBY CLASSIC

BATA BOUNCES BACK AFTER A SORRY LOSS TO ALEX IN DERBY'S ONE POCKET

EFREN "Bata" Reyes, bowed to Puyat Sports stablemate Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan in the fifth but he returned to the table using his Buy-In option, smashed Jamie Farrell in the sixth to keep his hopes alive in the ongoing 10th annual Derby City Classic 'One Pocket' division yesterday at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

Reyes, who is looking for his fifth consecutive One Pocket crown, earlier beat Graig Canady in the fourth and is schedule to face 'a must win situation' over Mark Jarvis in the seventh round.

Pagulayan, on the other hand beat Danny Harriman in the sixth and will meet Rafael Martinez in the seventh. The Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan, bowed to Charlie Williams in the fourth round of this annual $100,000 total pot tournament.

Another Puyat Sports ace Francisco "Django" Bustamante twice beat Robert Zack in the fourth and fifth but failed to sustain his winning run losing to Gabe Owen in the sixth. Bustamante's next assignment is Mitchell Ellerman.

Still in contention is Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat who posted three consecutive wins against Grady Mathews, Buddy Hall and Brian Gregg, in order to face John Brumback.

Another Filipino entry Santos "The Saint" Sambajon beat Fabio Petroni and Danny Harriman but collapsed to Ron Wiseman. The Macalelon, Quezon province native goes up against Charles Bryant in the next round.

Not as fortunate were Jose "Amang" Parica who suffered back to back loses over Rafael Martinez and Chris Szuter in the fourth and fifth.

Meanwhile, the 9-ball event gets underway where defending champion Neils "The Terminator" Feijen of the Netherlands open his title defense against Valerie Graham.

Luat is aiming to surpass his runner-up finish in the last year's 9-ball division as he goes up against Eric Peterson, while last year's third placer Bustamante takes on Ron Beard.

Other marquee matches pits Sambajon versus Joe Gay, Reyes versus Melinda Huang, Pagulayan opposite George Bone, Jr. and Parica versus Tom Fryer.

The most winningest player in the three divisions, namely -9 ball bank, one pocket and 9-ball event will be declared this year's Master of the Table Bounus Champion. Reyes won the 2007 Master of the Table Bonus Champion enroute to a $20,000 purse.

Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO