INQUIRER Sports

Filipino Francisco “Django” Bustamante is this year's Master of the Table Crown Bonus champion.

Bustamante, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports, finished as a quarterfinalist in the 9-ball bank, a semifinalist in the one-pocket event and a finalist in the 9-ball competition to wind up Master of the Table Crown Bonus champion.

He will also receive $30,000 in this 10th annual Derby City Classic held at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

According to AZbilliards.com, Bustamante's 11th win over former US Open 9-Ball Champion Gabe Owen was good enough to win him the all round title.

Owen finished second while another American Larry Nevel settled for third in the all around race.

Bustamante will face former World 9-Ball Champion Ralf "Kaiser" Souquet of Germany in the 9-ball finals.

Bustamante will need to defeat Souquet twice to win the title.

"Ang tagumpay ni Django sa Kentucky ay magandang simula sa pagbubukas ng taong 2008," said Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, president of Puyat Sports.

Other Filipino cue masters who participated in the $100,000 total pot annual Derby's are Santos "The Saint" Smabajon and 2007 Master of the Table Bonus champion Efren "Bata" Reyes.