Francisco "Django" Bustamante got the ball rolling for the Philippines last night as he gave Vietnam’s Vu Trong Khai a neat pool lesson, 9-4, in the losers-go-home opening round of the San Miguel Beer Asian 9-Ball Tour at the Octagon Hall of Robinson’s Galleria.
Bustamante prepared for another match, this time against Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Jung Lin late last night. Chang defeated Japan’s Hisashi Yamamoto, 9-6.
While Bustamante breezed his way to victory, Efren "Bata" Reyes, the Filipino ace, had a big scare, needing all the breaks and the luck he could use to fend off former Indonesian national champion Siaw Wieto, 9-8.
Reyes was way ahead, 8-4, when Wieto staged a big rally that forced a decisive 17th and final rack with the Indonesian enjoying the break. But his run came to a halt when he missed on a difficult shot on No. 4, leading Reyes to victory.
After sinking a tough shot on the black eight, Reyes was preparing for an easy nine when Wieto conceded the match by laying his cue stick on the table. Both players received a big round of applause for an exciting match.
Aside from Bustamante, also advancing for the Philippines were Warren Kiamco, who ousted China’s Fu Jian Bo, 9-4; and Gandy Valle, who slammed the door on Malaysia’s Chong Yen Foong in one of the day’s shortest matches, 9-2. Filipinos playing at presstime were Antonio Gabica, against Korean ace Jeong Young Hwa, and Lee Van Corteza, against China’s Xu Meng.
Except for Chinese-Taipei’s Yang Shin Chun, the winner of the Hong Kong leg, the top 32 Asian players are here to compete for the $10,000 winner’s purse, and the needed points that could earn them slots to the World Pool Championship in Taipei this July.
The quarterfinals will start at 9:30 a.m. today while the semis and the finals are scheduled tomorrow.
Bustamante prepared for another match, this time against Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Jung Lin late last night. Chang defeated Japan’s Hisashi Yamamoto, 9-6.
While Bustamante breezed his way to victory, Efren "Bata" Reyes, the Filipino ace, had a big scare, needing all the breaks and the luck he could use to fend off former Indonesian national champion Siaw Wieto, 9-8.
Reyes was way ahead, 8-4, when Wieto staged a big rally that forced a decisive 17th and final rack with the Indonesian enjoying the break. But his run came to a halt when he missed on a difficult shot on No. 4, leading Reyes to victory.
After sinking a tough shot on the black eight, Reyes was preparing for an easy nine when Wieto conceded the match by laying his cue stick on the table. Both players received a big round of applause for an exciting match.
Aside from Bustamante, also advancing for the Philippines were Warren Kiamco, who ousted China’s Fu Jian Bo, 9-4; and Gandy Valle, who slammed the door on Malaysia’s Chong Yen Foong in one of the day’s shortest matches, 9-2. Filipinos playing at presstime were Antonio Gabica, against Korean ace Jeong Young Hwa, and Lee Van Corteza, against China’s Xu Meng.
Except for Chinese-Taipei’s Yang Shin Chun, the winner of the Hong Kong leg, the top 32 Asian players are here to compete for the $10,000 winner’s purse, and the needed points that could earn them slots to the World Pool Championship in Taipei this July.
The quarterfinals will start at 9:30 a.m. today while the semis and the finals are scheduled tomorrow.