I think Johnny Archer wants to win this match up with Busty even more than the one with Shane. The match with Shane was more of a match to prove to everyone that Johnny is still here. 15 or so years ago Johnny put a 15 pack on Busty(between 2 sets) and came out on the losing end of the session. That has had to eat at him for all those years. A 15 pack!!! and lose. Are you kidding me? I can see the headlines now Busty wins Day 1. Johnny runs the Day 2 set out( a 25 pack)! Busty wins the Day 3 set and Johnny Archer checks into the insane asylum. LOL
I doubt he much cares about that one at this point, but the reputation of America in ten ball is something he cares about.
There have been four major ten ball events played in 2012: Derby City, Super Billiards Expo, HardTimes and the US Open 10-ball.
Derby City Fatboy Challenge: Bustamante wins the title with Archer and Shane in the field
Super Billiards Expo: Shane wins, but Orcullo and Bustamante are absent
Hard Times: Orcullo wins, Shane is in the field, Archer is absent
US Open 10-ball: Orcullo first with Shane and Archer in the field
In short, whenever these two Fillipinos have participated in 10-ball events on American soil in 2012, one of them has walked away with the title.
Count me among those who think that Dennis and Francisco are the two best ten ball players on the planet right now. American pros will have to start beating these guys if they want their ten ball games considered comparable to these two Fillipino superstars.
If he plays the kind of pool he did in set 3 of TAR 26, Archer has a chance to beat Francisco and restore some of the reputation of the American 10-ball player. I'm guessing that this will provide great motivation for Archer.
Wishing Johnny the best.