Django cops 9-ball crown

Francisco "Django" Bustamante repeated his mastery over Leonardo Didal as he cruised to a 17-11 victory to retain the Philippine Open 9-ball crown at the Casino Filipino Pagcor Theater late Saturday night.

Bustamante, who defeated Didal, 9-4, in the fourth round on the winners‘ bracket, leaned on his powerful breaks then pounced on the Davaoeño’s erratic game midway in the finale to complete his fightback from 5-7 down and fashion out the win worth P500,000.

The victory came on the heels of Bustamante’s successful title defense in the Bali Open in Indonesia, further boosting his confidence heading into the keenly-awaited World Pool 9-ball Championship at the PICC next month.

"It would be sweeter if I win the World Championship," said Bustamante, who finished runner-up to American Earl Strickland in the world championship four years ago in Cardiff, Wales.

Bustamante, 43, is one of the six Filipino players seeded No. 1 in their respective groups in the World Pool slated Nov. 4-12.

The former world No. 1, who teamed up with Efren "Bata" Reyes to win the inaugural World Cup crown, trounced Dennis Orcollo, 13-8, in the semis while Didal bundled out Mike Takayama, 13-5.

Trailing 5-7, Bustamante took four of the next six racks to forge a 9-all tie then sustain his run to sweep the next four racks for a 13-9 cushion.