Bustamante settles for third in One Pocket tiff

Former world No. 1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante bowed to Larry Nevel in the semifinal round and settled for third place in the 10th Derby City Classic “One Pocket” division at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bustamante earlier beat Shannon Daulton in the 10th round then eliminated compatriot Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan in the 11th before yielding to Nevel.

Nevel arranged a rematch with Gabe Owen for the one pocket crown.

Owen, a former US Open 9-ball titlist, beat Nevel in the 10th, ousted former four-time one pocket crown winner Efren “Bata” Reyes in the 11th and luckily took a bye in the 12th to face Nevel for the title.

Interestingly, Bustamante also finished third in last year’s one pocket and 9-ball division that put him in third place in the Master of the Table Bonus crown behind compatriots Reyes and Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat.

After settling for third in the one pocket division, Bustamante bounced back in the 9-ball division, posting four consecutive wins against Norman McKinley, Josh Roberts, Curtist Dehart and another world pool champion Mika Immonen of Finland.

Bustamante, who beat Ron Beard in the opening round of Derby’s 9-ball, will face Gus Briseno in the sixth round.

Reyes, Luat, Pagulayan and Jose “Amang” Parica are also still in contention in the 9-ball event.

Reyes nipped Mark Boros, Thomas Miller, Corey Deuel and Landon Shuffett from rounds 2 to 5; while Luat smashed John Smith, Ernesto Dominguez, Joseph Kluka and Tom Spencer; Pagulayan crushed George McLanahan, Chuck Gregg, Bobby McGrath and Rafael Martinez; and Parica bowed to Huidji See then beat Jason Klatt, Freddie Boggs and John Brumback.

Santos “The Saint” Sambajon was the lone Filipino casualty in the 9-ball event.