INQUIRER Sports

DAVAO CITY ? Efren ?Bata? Reyes and Francisco ?Django? Bustamante trounced their respective unheralded foes to advance into the round-of-16 and keep their bids alive in The Manny Villar Cup Kadayawan Leg being held before a huge crowd at the Activity Center of the NCCC Mall here.

Reyes took to school Manila qualifier Ruben Cuna, scoring a 9-2 rout to advance his quest for his first title in this prestigious island-hopping series.

Bustamante, on the other hand, utilized his vast experience to the hilt in bringing down local bet Roberto Bermejo, 9-4, keeping him on track for his second Villar Cup plum after his title run in the Baguio-Panagbenga leg last February.

?Winning wasn?t easy because my opponent played well, but I really just want to win this tournament as a way of thanking Sen. Villar for supporting billiards,? Reyes said in Filipino.

Reyes? best finish in this series was as runner-up to Warren Kiamco in the inaugural Alabang leg in May 2008.

Reyes was to next face Carlo Biado, a rising star from La Union, who defeated Jech Limen, 9-6, in their first round encounter in this tournament coorganized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines.

Bustamante also drew another promising talent in Egie Geronimo, who eked out a 9-8 squeaker over veteran Godofredo Ducanes.

Other first actions saw Bulacan leg champion Ramil Gallego blasting Davao bet Christopher Alalunay, 9-3; Ricky Zerna beating Benjie Guevarra, 9-5; Ronnie Alcano outlasting Joven Bustamante, 9-7; Kiamco thumping Ben Hasmer Kusain, 9-5; Calabarzon leg titlist Lee Van Corteza subduing Danny Otacan, 9-5; and Jomar de Ocampo, outwitting William Millares, 9-6.