MANILA, Philippines — Former world champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante rallied past erstwhile tormentor Ko Pin-yi of Chinese Taipei, 9-7, Saturday night in their Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face Off Series duel at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City.
Making the most out of the winner-breaks format, Bustamante prevailed in the last four racks to complete the dramatic come-from-behind victory.
Bustamante’s victory, not only avenged the loss of his bosom buddy Efren “Bata” Reyes to Ko last week, but also evened the Team Philippines versus Team Asia series in the top-flight billiards showdown.
Ko, who easily beat Reyes, 9-4, last
Saturday, took a 7-5 lead, before
Bustamante flashed ruthless form.
“I was nervous at the start, but there is always hope with the winner-breaks format,” said Bustamante, the 2010 World 9-Ball champion.
The series resumes Saturday night with Filipino standout Lee Vann Corteza facing 2012 World 8-Ball Champion Chang
Jung-lin, also of Chinese-Taipei.
Chang clashes with Filipino World No. 1 Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo on March 10 in the event jointly organized by the Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp. and aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34.
The highly competitive matches will
also be shown via live streaming on www.megasportsworld.com and www.philippinebigtimebilliards.com.
Backing the event are Sorsogon sports patron Philip Escudero of Malungai Life Oil, Airport Casino Filipino, Hermes Sports Bar, I-Bar, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Bugsy Promotions, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).