Bata Reyes, Django join Japan Open

Source: Manila Times
LEGENDARY cue masters Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante have confirmed participation in the 2010 Annual Japan Open beginning on March 20 in Tokyo.

Reyes and Bustamante will join six other Filipino players in the tournament which offers a whopping P800,000 cash equivalent to the champion.

Also seeing action are former Japan Open champions Ramil Gallego and Dennis Orcollo along with 2010 Kyoto 9-Ball Open ruler Mark Aristotle Mendoza, 2008 Kyoto 9-ball Open titlist Dondon Razalan, Roel Esquillo and Elmer Haya.

“It will be a very tough match against the top Asian players [Chinese-Taipei, China, Korea and Vietnam] not to be outdone by players from Europe and America,” said the 55-year-old Reyes who recently won the 12th annual Derby City Classic overall championship title.

Reyes and Bustamante are veterans of many prestigious international tournaments including their triumph in the 2009 World Cup of Pool held in Manila. They defeated Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany in a nerve-wracking 11-9 decision.

It was actually their second title after topping the inaugural edition in 2006 in Newport, Wales.

“We are expecting tough matches but we will try our best for flag and country,” added Bustamante, a winner in the 2009 All Japan 9-Ball Championship held in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan.

Reyes and Bustamante also received major awards in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night held recently at the Manila Hotel.