MANALO BEATS DJANGO IN PACMAN 9-BALL
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Oct 2007
"MARVELOUS" MARLON MANALO brushed aside Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 9-5, and lead the march of players into the third round of the winner's bracket yesterday in the Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Open at the Hobbies Mall billiards hall.
After winning the lag, Manalo jumped to a quick 2-0 lead, maintained the cushion, and thwarted the brief charge of Bustamante in the middle game.
Bustamante tied the count after 10 racks, 5-all, but got stuck as Manalo caught fire down the stretch.
"You can't afford to commit too many mistakes against Django. Fortunately I'm quite sharp today," said Manalo, many-time winner in the US pool circuit and perennial gold medal winner in the Southeast Asian Games.
The Mandaluyong ace, one of the members of the Team Philippines that will compete against the best players the world can offer in the Kabayan World 9-Ball Challenge: RP vs. Rest of the World, beat Eric Rodriguez in the opening round Wednesday night.
Manalo, third placer in the World Pool Championship two years ago in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, will next meet Karl Boyles of the United Kingdom.
Bustamante was eventually eliminated in the double elimination tournament, losing to Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat.
The famous Puyat Sports stable took a twin slap on the face after Efren "Bata" Reyes also fell by the wayside against little-known Jong-Jong Pangan, 9-8.
Rodrigo Geronimo shared the limelight with a pair of stunning victories against former US Open winner Rodney Morris, 9-2, and former Asian 9-Ball Tour champion Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, 9-7.
Reigning Philippine Junior champion Mark Mendoza also stayed on the right side of the draw with a pair of 9-7 wins against Jay-Jay Escultor and Monching Mistica.
Marcus Chamat of Sweden, a frequent Manila visitor, beat Darren Appleton, 9-6, for his second win in the P2-Million event sponsored by boxing idol Manny Pacquiao.
In other matches, Patrick Gonzales, top player of Rocketman Enterprises, edged Rene Cruz, 9-8, and Gandy Valle downed Rene Mar "Revo" David, 9-3. The champion here take away P1 million while the runner-up gets P500,000. Meanwhile, everything is set for the 2007 Mindanao Open on November 6 at the Upper Sangan Labangan National Highway Labangan Zamboanga, del Sur on November 6. A total pot prize of P120,000 put up by sportsman Nasser Bandong. Please call or text (0916) 958-9897 for complete details.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Apr 2026King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 17 Apr 2026FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
Fri, 17 Apr 2026CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM
Fri, 17 Apr 2026