Django routs Yang, squares series at 3-all

FRANCISCO “Django” Bustamante finished with a flourish in repulsing Taiwanese bet Yang Ching-shun, 9-3, Saturday night in their Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face-Off at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City.

Bustamante, the 2010 World 9-Ball champion, won the last four racks to wrap up the victory that allowed Team Philippines to tie the series with Team Asia at 3-3 in the event jointly organized by the Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp.worth $5,000 (about P214,000).

“I think I got a little lucky as the balls were falling in my favor,” said Bustamante, who never looked back after taking a 5-2 lead and clinched the $5,000 winner’s prize.

The series resumes on Saturday with former double world champion Ronnie Alcano battling Chang Yu Long of Taiwan.

Alex Pagulayan makes his debut in the series against Liu Hai Tao of China on April 14, before Liu faces World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo on April 21.

The match pitting Fong Pang Chao of Taiwan and Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza could decide the series on April 28.

The matches are also aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34, and also streamed worldwide through www.megasportsworld.com and www.philippinebigtimebilliards.com.

On Feb. 18, Taiwan’s Ko Pin-yi downed Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-4, before Bustamante avenged his friend’s defeat with a come-from-behind win against Ko, 9-7, on Feb. 25.

Chang Jung-lin of Taiwan beat Corteza, 9-7, last March 3 and Orcollo, 9-8, on March 10. Carlo Biado then downed Yang, 9-3, last weekend.

The series is being supported by Sorsogon’s Philip Escudero, Malungai Life Oil, Mandarin Sky Sea Food restaurant, Servo Marketing, Hermes Sports Bar, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Bugsy Promotions, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines and Airport Casino Filipino.