INQUIRER Sports

EFREN ?BATA? REYES and Django Bustamante will try to duplicate their amazing run three years ago when they join forces again for the Partycasino.net World Cup of Pool from Sept. 1 to 6 at the SM North Edsa Annex in Quezon City.

With the Philippines gaining the privilege of fielding two teams as host country, double world pool champion Ronnie Alcano and multi-titled Dennis Orcollo have been tapped to form the other RP duo in the 31-nation, 64-player tournament staking a $60,000 top prize from a total pot.

?I think we have a good chance that a Philippine team will win it this year,? Reyes said in Filipino at the launch of the event at the Solar Century Tower in Makati yesterday.

?But this kind of tournament is difficult to predict because some of the strongest teams may not do well and the perceived weak teams may play really well.?

Reyes and Bustamante ruled the inaugural edition of this event in 2006 in Newport, England, where they beat Americans Earl Strickland and Rodney Morris.

?The key is really listening to your teammate,? added Reyes.

Bustamante believes defending champion United States and Chinese Taipei loom as hot favorites aside from the two RP teams. Morris and Shane Van Boening of the US won the crown last year in The Netherlands.