EFREN "BATA" REYES BACK IN ACTION, FRANCISCO "DJANGO" BUSTAMANTE IS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER TITLE IN WPA WORLD 9-BALL
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 02 Jun 2012
FILIPINO pool maestro Efren ?Bata? Reyes is ready to weave his old black magic while his buddy, Francisco ?Django? Bustamante are seeking another title at the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World 9-Ball Championship on June 22 to 29 at the Al Sadd St. Sports Roundabout, Doha, Qatar.
The two grizzled veterans of Philippine pool playing under the banner of Puyat Sports will take centerstage anew and carry the country?s colors in one of the biggest billiards tournament of the year.
The 57-year-old Angeles City pride Reyes, one of the oldest players in the circuit, is a two-time world champion and is eyeing to become the only Filipino player to win a triple crown.
Reyes and compatriot Ronato "Volcano" Alcano have already won the World 8-Ball and World 9-Ball crowns, and one of them has a chance to become the winningest Pinoy in the world pool scene.
The 48-year-old Tarlac native Bustamante, on the other hand, won the World 9-Ball crown here in Doha two-years ago to follow the foot-step of Reyes (1999, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom), Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan (2004, Taipei, Taiwan) and Alcano (2006, Manila, Philippines).
"We have a very good chance of winning again the World 9-ball crown," said PH billiards godfather Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, longtime supporter of Reyes, Bustamante and Pagulayan.
American Earl "The Pearl" Strickland is the winningest player by winning the World 9-Ball crown thrice (1990 Bergheim, Germany), (1991 Las Vegas, United States) and (2002,Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom).
Another US bet Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer (1992, Taipei, Taiwan), (`1997, Chicago, United States) and Taiwanese Chao Fong-pang (1993, Konigswinter, Germany) and (2000, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom ), both won twice.
Japanese Yukio Akagariyama toppled Alcano in the last edition here in Doha.
Up for grabs in the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and Qatar Billiards & Snooker Federation (QBSF) event is a total cash prize fund of $250,000 with $36,000 going to the champion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Sat, 31 Jan 2026KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 31 Jan 2026THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
Sat, 31 Jan 2026Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell, Sat, 31 Jan 2026Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
Sat, 31 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 30 Jan 2026“It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 30 Jan 2026ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026