Bata, Django go for 3rd World Cup title

MANILA, Philippines—Just how comfortable is Efren “Bata” Reyes with Francisco “Django” Bustamante?   So comfortable that he can joke about his bosom buddy even without him around.   “If you make it to the Hall of Fame, you’re game deteriorates,” Reyes said with a laugh.   Reyes, of course, was referring to the entry of Bustamante, the reigning World 9-Ball champion, in the Billiards Hall of Fame in June. “Bata” made it to the elite roster earlier in 2003.   With a partnership built on confidence in each other’s game, the two legends will defend the PartyPoker.Net World Cup of Pool crown against 31 other international pairs next month at Robinson’s Place Midtown in Manila.   Reyes and Bustamante, who also topped the maiden edition of the event in 2006, ruled the tournament last year by stunning Germany’s Thorsten Hohmann and Ralf Souquet, 11-9, in an enthralling final at the SM North.   Dennis Orcollo, who reached the semifinals together with Ronnie Alcano, last year will have a new partner in 2007 WPC finalist Roberto Gomez in the other Philippine team.   “We were surprised we won last year. It’s not going to be easy defending the title,” said Reyes during a recent press launch of the event at the Solar Century Tower in Makati.   Chinese-Taipei aces Ko Pin-yi and Chang Jung-lin, Englishmen Daryl Peach and Karl Boyes and the German pair of Souquet and Oliver Ortmann lead the foreign charge in the $250,000 event which dangles a $60,000 purse for the champion duo.