Bustamante back on top of world rankings

Francisco “Django" Bustamante is back on top of the world's billiards rankings. Bustamante, who will turn 47 this month, vaulted his way to the top after winning the World 9-Ball Championship in Doha, Qatar last July. It was the first title for the man regarded as the other half of the country’s legendary pair of pool players, the other being Efren “Bata" Reyes. Reyes is still regarded as the most popular player in the international billiard circuit, but the cue artist known as “The Magician" has been struggling in recent years due to deteriorating eyesight.

Bustamante, on the other hand, has remained competitive, and he showed that in winning one of the three world championships of the World Pool-Billiard Association. The pride of Tarlac has compiled a total of 1,142 points. He got an automatic 1,000-point reward in winning the World 9-Ball crown, while also gaining 142 points for finishing ninth in the China Open. Bustamante is currently No. 3 in the money list with total earnings of $81,851 this year. Former World Ten Ball champion Darren Appleton of England heads the money list with total earnings of $95,802 for the year. Reyes is ranked second with $93,709. In all, seven Filipino players are in the Top 10 of the world rankings. Comebacking Antonio Lining is currently ranked third with 940 points, only 32 points behind second placer Karl Boyes of Great Britain. Lining, who spent the past few years working as a translator and professional pool player in Japan, was a semifinalist in the World Ten Ball Championship and World 9-Ball Championship. Other Pinoy players in the Top 10 are Jeff de Luna (fifth, 841); Ronnie Alcano (seventh, 784); Vicenancio Tanio (eighth, 759); Marlon Manalo (ninth, 732); and World Ten Ball runner-up Lee Van Corteza (10th, 704). - KY, GMANews.TV