DEFYING father time, Filipino pool legend and Hall of Famer Francisco “Django” Bustamante bagged back-to-back championship titles in Las Vegas, USA.
Fresh off his victory at the 29th Annual Jay Swanson Memorial, where he edged out Germany’s Can Salim in a thrilling 11-9 final, the 61-year-old icon dominated the Predator One Pocket Showdown, clinching the crown with a hard-fought 5-3 win over American Tony Chohan and taking home the $10,000 top prize.
However, in the Las Vegas Open, Bustamante encountered a setback, falling to fellow veteran Ralf Souquet of Germany, 0-2, after winning his opening match against American Bobby Garza, 2-0.
Meanwhile, Bustamante and World Women’s Champion Rubilen Amit suffered an early exit in the mixed doubles’ competition, losing 2-4, 1-4 to the Korean duo of Hojun Kwon and Harin Lee.
In other action, Jeffrey De Luna outclassed fellow Filipino Roberto Gomez, 4-1, 4-3, 4-3, to secure a spot in the semifinals of the Las Vegas Men’s Open.
A World Games’ 2025 qualifier alongside Amit and Chezka Centeno, De Luna impressed in the knockout stage, dispatching Radoslaw Babica of Poland, 3-0, and Gerson Martinez of Peru, 3-2. He now sets his sights on a finals’ berth, facing Denis Grabe of Estonia in the semis.
Amit got off to a strong start in the Women’s Open, defeating reigning World 10-Ball Champion Kristina Tkach 4-0, 4-1 in their 9-ball match. Tkach, however, bounced back in their 10-ball match, 4-3, 4-0, forcing an 8-ball decider.
Amit later cruised past USA’s Ada Lio 4-2, 4-0 to advance to Round 2, joining her teammate Chezka Centeno, who also impressed with a 4-1, 4-2 victory over American Nicole Cuellar.