Django joins Bata in Hall of Fame

Where Efren“Bata” Reyes goes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante eventually follows.

The 46-year-old Bustamante has been elected for induction into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame, joining bosom buddy Reyes, who was inducted in 2003, into the elite roster.

Known for his power breaks and overall mastery of the game, Bustamante got the nod of the voters from the United States Billiards Media Association after finally snaring the WPA World 9-Ball Championship in Doha, Qatar, in July.

Bustamante, a protege of sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat like Reyes, will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 21 during ceremonies held in conjunction with the US Open 9-Ball Championship in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Informed of the recognition, Bustamante told AZBilliards.com: “Two things that I always dreamed of were to be world champion and to be in the Hall of Fame. This year both dreams came true. We all dream to be in the BCA Hall of Fame, so I am very happy today.

“We are heroes in the Philippines, but for the American people to recognize me like this makes me very proud.”

And so is Puyat.

“He really deserves it,” said the billiards benefactor. “Like Efren, Django’s sacrificed a lot and done so much for billiards.”

Puyat noted that during the 2002 World Pool Championship, Bustamante fought on and reached the finals in Wales despite grieving the death of his infant daughter back home.

Puyat added that whenever Bustamante and Reyes compete abroad, they give joy and pride to thousands of overseas Filipino workers.

Bustamante began competing in the United States in the early 1990s and was named Billiards Digest’s and Pool & Billiard Magazine’s Player of the Year in 1998 after notching four major tournament wins.

Bustamante garnered 56 percent of the votes cast, edging out current world No. 1 Ralf Souquet (46 percent) of Germany and fellow Filipino Jose “Amang” Parica (44 percent).