DUE to an expected illness struck to former world no.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante of the Philipines, he failed to win the coveted title yielding to Traveso, Italy-based Hungrarian cue master Sandor “Bambino” Tot (9-10) in the last 16 of the just concluded Russian International Open at the Billiard Club in Moscow, Russia over the weekend.
This sad news revealed by RP billiards patron Aristeo “Putch” Puyat regarding the heart-breaking loss of Bustamante in the last 16 late Saturday.
“ ( Django not feeling well before the start of last 1) Nasira ang tiyan ni Django (Bustamante) nung gabi bago mag round of 16.” said Puyat, also the long-time benefactor of hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes.
In a seperate interview, Ish Caparas, events manager of Puyat Sports also added that another Filipino entry Antonio “Nickoy” Lining dropped his matches against reigning Amsterdam winner Tony “The Tornado” (5-10) of Malta in the last 8.
Caparas added that the 15-year-old local ebt Ruslan Chinakov took the top purse $10,000 in the event organize by Moscow Confederation of Billiard Sports in close cooperation with Pool Section of Russian Confederation of Billiard Sport.
Among Chinakov victims includes Andrea Klasovich (10-4) in the last 16, Roter Marius (10-3) in the quarter-finals, Sandor Tot (10-7) in the semi-finals and Tony Drago (10-5) in the championships round.
It shall be recalled, Efren “Bata” Reyes was diagnosed of having elevated blood sugar and asthma at the Angeles University Hospital.
The 52-year-old pool legend complained of high-fever and difficulty of breathing Sunday after the San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-Ball Tour at the Casino Filipino Pagcor Theater in Parañaque City .
However, Puyat is optimistic that his two player is ready in the 128 main draw when the 2006 Philippine World Pool Championship gets underway on November 4 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Reyes is the first Filipino-ever to win the World 9-ball Open crown in the 1999 Cardiff edition in Wales, England.
While the 43-year-old Bustamante finish runner-up with eventual winner American Earl “The Pearl” Strickland in the 2002 Cardiff edition.
Another Puyat Sports bet Canada-based Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan is the 2004 Taipei edition ruler.
The 27-year-old Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan is expected going back to Manila at the start of RP World 9-ball meet next month.
The 2005 US Open champ Pagulayan, stand as a godfather to Gandy Sapsal-Valle's daughter, Alliana Nicole, in her Christening, today at St. Mary's Church in Buhangin, Davao City. Alliana Nicole is the second child of Valle to wife Rosyl. Their first child is son Ralph Lauren.
Here's the results: (double elimination round/ last 32 single elimination format)
Last 16
Stalev Maxim Yevgenevich vs Roter Marius (7-10)
Andrea Klasovich vs Ruslan Chinakov (4-10)
Sandor Tot vs Francisco Bustamante (10-9)
Radoslaw Babica vs Koshevoy Artem Vitalevich (5-10)
Novosad Yevgeny Alexandrovich vs Tony Drago (4-10)
Konstantine Zolotilov vs Antonio Lining (5-10)
Farouk Rumbles To vs Konstantine Stepanov (9-10)
Melkonyan Babkyan vs Dmitriy Alexandrovich (10-9)
Last 8
Roter Marius vs Ruslan Chinakov (3-10)
Sandor Tot vs Koshevoy Artem Vitalevich (10-8)
Tony Drago vs Antonio Lining (10-5)
Konstantine Stepanov vs Melkonyan Babkyan (10-3)
Last 4
Ruslan Chinakov vs Sandor Tot (10-7)
Tony Drago vs Konstantine Stepanov (10-5)
Finals
Ruslan Chinakov vs Tony Drago (10-5)
