'Django', 3 others strike in World 8-Ball opener

Reigning World 9-Ball champion Francisco “Django" Bustamante, double world titlist Efren “Bata" Reyes and former world No.1 player Dennis Orcullo led the Filipinos’ charge in the prestigious World 8-Ball Championship, hurdling past their respective assignments in the opening round Sunday (Monday in Manila) in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Bustamante, who won his first and only world championship in Doha, Qatar, last year, served notice of his intention to win this tournament by outplaying Carlos Cabello, 7-4. The power-breaking cue artist from Tarlac made it to the winner’s side, but will face an acid test in his next encounter when he meets former World 9-Ball champion Daryl Peach. Peach, who won the World 9-Ball title in Manila in 2007, defeated Filipino Joven Bustamante in a hill-hill encounter, 7-6. Reyes, who has won both World 9-Ball and World 8-Ball titles, also had a good start. He whipped Shaker Whadaw, 7-3, to also make it to the winner’s bracket. But the man known as “The Magician" will meet his compatriot Orcullo, a 7-3 winner over Mazen Berjawi in the Group 3 opening match. Another Filipino who made his presence felt was veteran campaigner Antonio Lining, who blanked compatriot Joyme Vicente, 7-0. Not as lucky was Jeff de Luna, who lost 5-7 to Khaled Al Mutari. The World 8-Ball Championship is the first major event of the sanctioning World Pool-Billiard Association this year. The Philippines is scheduled to host two events of the WPA — the Philippine Open from April 14 to 16 and the World Ten Ball Championship from May 16 to 21. - KY, Rey Joble, GMA News