By MARK REY MONTEJO
Francisco “Django” Bustamante turned back the hands of time anew as he romped to 4-1, 4-1 win over American Bobby Garza at the start of the 2025 Las Vegas 10-Ball Open at Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino on Thursday, Feb. 20 (Manila time).
At 61, Bustamante was still a joy to watch, coming through with some tough shots just like the old days that saw him win big tournaments left and right.
With Bustamante’s convincing win, he barged into the barge into the next stage of the 128-player tournament that rewards $37,500 (roughly P2.1 million) to the champion.
Next for the former Asian Games gold medalist is German Ralf Souquet this Friday, Feb. 21 (Manila time).
The 2010 World Nine-Ball ruler is also set for one pocket face-off – a two-day event – in Sin City where he battles Tony Chohan, and world champions Germany’s Joshua Filler and USA’s Shane Van Boening for the $10,000 (around P580,000) winner-takes-all prize.
Meanwhile, three other Filipinos outlasted their respective rival to likewise made it to the winners’ bracket.
Jeffrey De Luna decimated Japan’s Masashi Myojo, 4-1, 4-1 to arrange a duel with USA’s Tim Tonjum while Mark Estiola survived Germany’s Fabian Breuer, 4-3, 4-2 to set up an exciting duel with m Fil-Canadian Alex Pagulayan,
a 4-3, 4-0 winner over Puerto Rican Francisco Serran San Miguel.
Roberto Gomez also impressed as he trounced Indonesian Hendra Kurniawan, 4-2, 4-1.
Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit are also scheduled to see action in the women’s division of the event on Feb. 26.
