Django edges compatriot in World 9-Ball opener

Francisco "Django" Bustamante opened his World 9-Ball Championship title defense with a 9-7 victory over fellow Filipino Caneda Villamor at the Al Saad Indoor Hall in Doha, Qatar. Bustamante, in a tweet by the World Pool Association, finished the game with a tough six-to-nine combination to take his first win against Villamor, an Overseas Filipino Worker in Group 4. Bustamante never led by a big margin and allowed Villamor to tie the game at 2-2. The veteran internationalist even trailed by 8-7, but pulled off a tough shot to win the match. Efren "Bata" Reyes, meanwhile, eked out a 9-8 win over Englishman Mark Grey in his opening match in Group 1. Reyes had a tough match against Grey, a snooker player, as it went hill-hill but the Filipino billiards icon cleaned up the final rack to end the match. Dennis Orcollo debuted with a 9-4 win over Kong Bu Hong of Hong Kong in Group 1 while Carlo Biado defeated Petri Makkonen of Finland in Group 4. Oliver Mendenilla won over Mohammad Al Harthi of Saudi Arabia, 9-5, in Group 7; Jeff De Luna beat Hussain Jamil of Kuwait, 9-4, in Group 8; and Allan Cuartero beat Mohammed Al Sofi of Syria, 9-5, in Group 12. Meanwhile, Antonio Gabica beat Chris Melling of Great Britain, 9-8, in Group 2 while Roberto Gomez dropped his match against Manuel Gama of Portugal, 9-8, in Group 5 and Venancio Tanio lost to Chang Jung Len of Chinese Taipei, 9-4, in Group 9. Shane Van Boening of United States defeated Joven Alba, 9-4, in Group 10 and Lee Van Corteza lost to Raj Hundal of India, 9-4, in Group 12. - Reuben Terrado/JVP, GMA News