RP 9-ball ‘Dream Team’ turns into a nightmare
By noli cruz
THE COUNTRY’S bid to sweep the gold medals in the pool competition of the coming Southeast Asian Games took a blow after three key figures in the so-called “Dream Team” pulled out a few weeks before the competition.
Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Marlon Manalo begged off from the call of national duty after accepting invitations to play in the money-rich King of the Hill tournament at the Orlando Convention Center in Florida, USA.
The event offers a total pot of $1-million, with the champion getting $200,000, the richest in pool history.
Reyes and Bustamante cited various ailments for withdrawing from the team — Bata his failing eyesight, Bustamante a nagging elbow pain. But though these are acceptable reasons, what is intriguing is that the US event which they have accepted coincided with the dates of the SEA Games which is Nov. 27-Dec. 5. The US event, on the other hand, begins Nov. 30.
Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) President Ernesto Fajardo said that Reyes and Bustamante have long been sending feelers of their intent to give up their slots in the national team.
"Matagal ng sinasabi ni Efren na lumalabo na ang mata n’ya and ayaw n’ya s’yempre na ipahiya ang bansa natin," Fajardo said.
Reyes first admitted his handicap during the World Pool Championship in Kaoshsiung, Taiwan where he failed to advance into the knockout round for the first time.
"Hirap na akong sumilip lalo na kung long shot," said Reyes who is scheduled to undergo a laser treatment in the next few days.
In the ongoing Philippine 9-Ball Open, Reyes made an early exit after losing his first two matches. It was his worst showing in a national open tournament using a double elimination format.
Bustamante, on the other hand, is complaining of a nagging pain in his right elbow.
"Mapapansin n’yo na soft break ang ginagamit ni Django ngayon," said Fajardo. "K’wento nga n’ya meron daw instance na naglalaro s’ya sa tournament sa US tapos huminto s’ya in the middle of the game dahil sa sakit."
Manalo’s reason may sound the least acceptable, but Fajardo understands.
"Sinabi naman agad ni Marlon na mahirap palampasin ang chance na sumali sa malaking event sa US," Fajardo said.
"It’s his first time na maimbita roon and besides maraming beses na s’yang naglaro para sa bansa sa SEAG."
Despite the setback, Fajardo sees no reason to push the panic button.
"We have a very deep pool of talent. Alex Pagulayan will now be the leader of the team and we’re confident that he’ll be up to the task," Fajardo said.
The reigning US Open champion will be carrying the country’s colors in the biennial meet for the first time.
The other members of the team are Dennis Orcullo, Ramil Gallego, Antonio Gabica, Lee Vann Corteza, Warren Kiamco, Ronnie Alcano and Leonardo "Dodong" Andam.
By noli cruz
THE COUNTRY’S bid to sweep the gold medals in the pool competition of the coming Southeast Asian Games took a blow after three key figures in the so-called “Dream Team” pulled out a few weeks before the competition.
Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Marlon Manalo begged off from the call of national duty after accepting invitations to play in the money-rich King of the Hill tournament at the Orlando Convention Center in Florida, USA.
The event offers a total pot of $1-million, with the champion getting $200,000, the richest in pool history.
Reyes and Bustamante cited various ailments for withdrawing from the team — Bata his failing eyesight, Bustamante a nagging elbow pain. But though these are acceptable reasons, what is intriguing is that the US event which they have accepted coincided with the dates of the SEA Games which is Nov. 27-Dec. 5. The US event, on the other hand, begins Nov. 30.
Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) President Ernesto Fajardo said that Reyes and Bustamante have long been sending feelers of their intent to give up their slots in the national team.
"Matagal ng sinasabi ni Efren na lumalabo na ang mata n’ya and ayaw n’ya s’yempre na ipahiya ang bansa natin," Fajardo said.
Reyes first admitted his handicap during the World Pool Championship in Kaoshsiung, Taiwan where he failed to advance into the knockout round for the first time.
"Hirap na akong sumilip lalo na kung long shot," said Reyes who is scheduled to undergo a laser treatment in the next few days.
In the ongoing Philippine 9-Ball Open, Reyes made an early exit after losing his first two matches. It was his worst showing in a national open tournament using a double elimination format.
Bustamante, on the other hand, is complaining of a nagging pain in his right elbow.
"Mapapansin n’yo na soft break ang ginagamit ni Django ngayon," said Fajardo. "K’wento nga n’ya meron daw instance na naglalaro s’ya sa tournament sa US tapos huminto s’ya in the middle of the game dahil sa sakit."
Manalo’s reason may sound the least acceptable, but Fajardo understands.
"Sinabi naman agad ni Marlon na mahirap palampasin ang chance na sumali sa malaking event sa US," Fajardo said.
"It’s his first time na maimbita roon and besides maraming beses na s’yang naglaro para sa bansa sa SEAG."
Despite the setback, Fajardo sees no reason to push the panic button.
"We have a very deep pool of talent. Alex Pagulayan will now be the leader of the team and we’re confident that he’ll be up to the task," Fajardo said.
The reigning US Open champion will be carrying the country’s colors in the biennial meet for the first time.
The other members of the team are Dennis Orcullo, Ramil Gallego, Antonio Gabica, Lee Vann Corteza, Warren Kiamco, Ronnie Alcano and Leonardo "Dodong" Andam.
