NEW YORK-NEW YORK---Francisco "Django" Bustamante bucked a slow start to beat Dennis "Surigao" Orcullo, 9-6, and advance into the semifinals of the Philippine 9-Ball Open at the Robinson's Galleria Trade Hall in Mandaluyong City, Philippines.
However, the reigning US Open champion and Fil-Canadian Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan didn't make it in the final four after suffered two straight losses Friday night.
The Tarlac City bet Bustamante, the former world No. 1 clustered five straight racks starting from the third to take a 5-2 lead.
Orcullo's dry spell led to his first defeat in the tournament co-organized by Puyat Sports and Solar Sports and relegated him into the loser's bracket.
The breaks spelled the difference in the match.
While Bustamante enjoyed friendly lay outs after his every break, Orcullo didn't.
Orcullo only managed to run out two of possible eight racks while Bustamante swept five tables. The win assured Bustamante of at least P100,000.
Jeffrey "Jeff Bata" de Luna and Ronnie “Calamba” Alcano are disputing the other outright semis spot at press time.
In loser's bracket matches, Mario "Aklan" Tolentino continued his giant-killing ways by ousting last year's champ Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, 9-4, while Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego manhandled Fidel Punzalan, 9-7.
Gallego eliminated reigning US Open champion and Fil-Canadian Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, 9-3, Friday night
