source: Reuben Terrado | businessmirror.com.ph
There will be no Francisco “Django” Bustamante in the Philippine team in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
Bustamante was shown the exit door early in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) Asian Games 9-ball qualification tournament tryouts on Wednesday at the Gameball Billiards Center, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The man with one of the most powerful break shots in the game was handily beaten by Ricky Zerna, 5-13, missing a slot in the Asian Games to be held from November 12 to 27 in Guangzhou, China.
Bustamante was also not fortunate in the 8-ball event, failing to make it deep into the qualifiers.
Zerna made it two in a row against Filipino pool legends, beating Efren “Bata” Reyes, 13-10, to advance to the 9-ball qualifiers of the semifinal round.
But unlike Bustamante, Reyes made it to the Asian Games in the 8-ball team along with Roberto Gomez after going through the qualifiers early this week.
Reyes also took a slot in the English billiards team along with Reynaldo Grandea.
In the 2002 Busan Asian Games, Bustamante and Antonio Lining won the gold medal in the 9-ball doubles event.
Bustamante, who has one of the fastest and strongest break shots in the world, also won the World Cup of Pool twice with buddy Reyes.
In other 9-ball qualifying matches, Southeast Asian Games 8-ball gold medalist Ronnie Alcano defeated Joven Bustamante, 13-10, while Carlo Biado won over former world 9-ball runner-up Roberto Gomez, 13-11, to move into the semifinal round.
Warren Kiamco also boosted his chances of bagging one of two slots available in the 9-ball event after gaining the semifinal round with a 13-5 victory over Jeff de Luna.
Dennis Orcollo has already secured one of the spots.
Marlon Manalo and Leonardo Andam compose the snooker singles lineup, while Manalo, Andam and Benjie Guevarra make up the snooker team.
Rodolfo Luat and Grandea will play carom three-cushion.
In the women’s side, world 10-ball champion Rubilen Amit leads the 8-ball and 9-ball singles team. She will be joined by Iris Rañola in both events.
Mary Ann Basas will compete in the snooker six-ball singles and team events.
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