 Joven Bustamante |
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES - BUGSY PROMOTION stalwart Joven "The Shark" Bustamante defeated Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) bet Godofredo "Boy Cotabato" Ducanes, 13-11, in their special 9-ball playoff Saturday night here at the Star Billiards Center in Joy. St, Grace Village, Quezon City.
Thus, the 28-year-old, a distant relative of former world No.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, won the World Pool Championships slot at stake according to BSCP chairman and Raya Sports President Yen Makabenta.
Aside from Makabenta, other VIP guest, officials, coaches, managers who watched the intense play off were BSCP president Ernie Fajardo, BSCP treasurer and Brunswick Philippines distributor Sebastian Chua, Perry and Verna Mariano of Bugsy Promotion, Negros Billiard Stable president Jonathan Sy, NBS coach/manager Christopher Palses and professional photographer Ferdinand Arquero, among others.
Joven, the 2007 Fujairah World 8-ball semi-finalist in United Arab Emirates needed two and half hours to finish the 52-years-old Ducanes in their race-to-13, alternate break format.
"It is my dream to make it to the main draw of WPC." said the 2004 Abu Dhabi 8-ball champion fondly called "The Shark" or " The Giant" in the pool world.
Joven surged to a 5-2 commanding lead after Ducanes scratch in the first rack then followed with an 8-4 comfortable lead before take a close 13-11 match victory.
"Actually, I'am just lucky because the balls favored my side." added Joven, a member of the star-studded Bugsy Promotion, who is fresh from winning the 2007 4th Annual KIA Motors Korea International Championships in South, Korea recently.
In the Korean 9-ball Open, Joven beat fellow Bugsy ace Carlo "Cool" Biado (7-2) in the semis then subdued Japanese Go Takami (7-3) in the finals to pocket the top prize US$7,000.
According to Joven, a part of his preparation for his local and international competitions is running 50 racks a day in the Bugsy's Lair Billiard Hall in Sgt. Esguerra in Quezon City.
Aside from Joven and Django Bustamante, others seeded in the main draw of prestigious World Pool Championships are reigning champ Ronato Alcano, 1999 Cardiff WPC ruler Efren "Bata" Reyes, 2004 Taiwan WPC winner Alex Pagulayan, Lee Vann Corteza, Marlon Manalo, Antonio Lining, Rodolfo Luat, Ramil Gallego and Jeffrey de Luna.
