INQUIRER Sports

FORMER world no.1 Francisco ?Django? Bustamante bowed to Larry Nevel to settle for third place in the ongoing 10th annual Derby City Classic 'One Pocket' division yesterday at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Bustamante, playing under the banner of businessman/ sportsman Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, became the best Pinoy finisher in the event.

He earlier beat Shannon Daulton in the tenth then eliminated compatriot and fellow Puyat Sports stablemate Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan in the eleventh round before yielding to Nevel in the twelfth round.

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

Owen, an ex-US Open 9-ball titlist, beat Nevel in the tenth, ousted former four-time one pocket crown winner Efren "Bata" Reyes in the eleventh and took a bye in the twelfth 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 where Reyes and Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat finished first and second, respectively.

DIFFERENT STORY

After settling for third in the one pocket division, Bustamante bounced back in the ongoing 9-ball division that was held simultaneously with the one pocket event by posting four consecutive wins against Norman Mc Kinley, Josh Roberts, Curtist Dehart and another world pool champion Mika Immonen of Finland. Bustamante, who beat Ron Beard in the opening round of the 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. Correspondent Marlon Bernardino