Bustamante beats Reyes in 9-ball opening round

Sun.Star: Francisco Bustamante advanced to the next round after he defeated 1999 World Pool Champion Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-2, in the opening showdown of the 1st Negros Oriental 9-Ball Tournament at the Negros Oriental Convention Center Wednesday afternoon. Bustamante blew a three-rack lead in the early going when Reyes's magical moves did not spark. The magician Reyes recovered in the fourth rack but Bustamante continued his brilliant shooting range and dominated the fifth to seven racks. In the 8th rack, Reyes bounced back but Bustamante racked up straight two frames in a stirring fashion to wrest the lead that gave him a momentum and secured his first victory. Despite the loss, Reyes will still have the chance to play and be listed in the 32-man showdown. The organizer of the tournament said the format of the tournament is double elimination. - Sun.Star