Bustamante, Andam to vie for Dubai gold

Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Leonardo "Dodong" Andam departed for Dubai, U.A.E. yesterday for the first Fujairah International Billiard Tournament on Feb. 16-20.

However, Reyes will not attend the 9-ball meet as a competitor but as a special guest. It will be Bustamente and Andam who will compete with top players from other countries and vie for the unique prizes of 1 kilogram of gold for the winner, 1/2 kilogram of gold for second place, 1/4 kilogram of gold each for third and fourth places. The fifth to eighth placers will receive cash prizes.

The invitation to Reyes, Bustamante and Andam to grace the occasion with their presence showed the United Arab Emirates has "high esteem for our players and our country," Puyat Sports president Aristeo "Putch" Puyat said.

Puyat has been the leading patron of Filipino billiards players.

Reyes will merely play exhibition matches with the champion and runners-up of the local tournament and entertain the audience with trick shots. Bustamante and Andam will be among 16 players from several countries invited to the international tournament.

The three Puyat Sports players were accompanied by Rolando Vicente, Reyes’ manager.