Django rules Villar Cup over Gomez

BAGUIO, PHilippines  – Francisco “Django” Bustamante put on a solid performance to thwart Roberto Gomez, 11-7, and capture the Manny Villar Cup Panagbenga leg crown at the Event Center of SM City Baguio Sunday night.

Bustamante stole the seventh rack to shatter a 3-all count and sustained his form to seize a 9-5 lead.

He foiled Gomez fightback with a runout on the 17th rack then prevailed in a battle of safeties to clinch the victory.

It was Bustamante’s breakthrough win in the event. The 44-year-old former world No. 1 failed to move past the quarterfinals in last year’s inaugurals of the circuit presented by Sen. Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports.

“I’m very happy for this win because this Villar Cup is one of the toughest tournaments,” said Bustamante, who pocketed the top P300,000 prize staked in the three-day event sponsored by Camella Communities.

“I congratulate you Django for winning this Panagbenga leg,” said Villar during the awarding ceremony. “You are a hero of this nation and we are very proud of you.”

Villar, now the biggest benefactor of Philippine billiards, also cited teenage bet Rene Mar David for his second runner-up finish.

“I’m happy to see that our young players like Rene Mar are slowly catching up with our superstars as it shows that we are achieving our main objective in putting up this Villar Cup, which is to develop more world-class pool players and continue our dominance in the sport,” said Villar.

David, the 19-year-old talent from Candon, Ilocos Sur, won his first three matches, including a victory over pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes in the second round before bowing to Bustamante, 10-8, in the semis.

Gomez settled for the runner-up purse of P120,000.