Django rips Orcollo, enters RP 9-ball final

Francisco "Django" Bustamante reasserted his supremacy over Dennis Orcollo, 13-8, to set up a title duel with early round victim Leonardo Didal in the San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-Ball Open at the Casino Filipino Pagcor Theater.

The defending champion pulled away late in the rematch between last year’s finalists to stay unbeaten in the event organized by Solar Sports and supported by San Miguel Beer.

"He had so many errors and I just took advantage of it," said Bustamante.

Orcollo complained of a locked arm midway in the match. "I was already feeling bad towards the end. I was in pain," he said.

Didal, meanwhile, cruised to a 13-5 victory over upcoming star Mike Takayama.

The pride of Davao won the last eight racks after a 5-all deadlock to secure at least a P250,000 paycheck.

Takayama, who impressed pool fans with a stunning run of victories over Gandy Valle, Alex Pagulayan and Orcollo, was getting the better of Didal on their safety exchanges early. He led 4-3, winning three racks off a brilliant placing.

But inexperience did him in.

The turning point came on the 14th rack. Trailing 5-6 and with the cue ball on his hand after a Didal scratch, Takayama chose to go for a 2-9 combination.

He missed badly, and Didal cleaned up to go two-up. There was a similar scenario on the 16th and Takayama again misplayed a combo.

"Bata pa kasi kaya hindi pa masyadong nag-iisip," Didal said. "Pero hindi magtatagal mahihirapan na akong manalo sa kanya."

Didal sealed the deal with a tricky angular pot on the green six with two colored balls covering the cue from the object ball.

"Ang taas na ng kumpiyansa ko nung lumamang na ako ng malaki. Alam ko marami akong tsansa na manalo kahit mag-mintis," Didal said.

The race-to-17 title match was set late last night with the winner going home with P500,000. Orcollo and Takayama pocketed P100,000 each.

Bustamante beat Didal, 9-4, in the fourth round on the winner’s bracket, but the latter edged Ronnie Alcano, 9-8, on the left side of the draw to enter the semifinals.