In the first rack, both players missed multiple shots on the 8, before
a Bustamante scratch gave the rack to Drago. Bustamante never found a
comfort zone at the TV table. Even when the Filipino managed to string
balls together, he often had to come with difficult shots after losing
shape.
Tied at 2-2, Drago pulled away by winning five of the next six for a
7-3 lead. Bustamante would fight back to tie the match, 9-9, but he
faulted again. On the break, Bustamante popped the cue ball off the
table, giving Drago an easy 1-10 combo.
From there, Drago was in complete control. On the hill, Drago ran
through the final rack of the tournament, often taking only a few
seconds to line up and fire the next shot. In both the semifinal and
final matches, Drago never once heard the official's ten-second warning
on the 30-second shot clock.
The Predator title is Drago's second among the bright lights of Las
Vegas. At the Mosconi Cup in December, he was voted Most Valuable
Player on the victorious European squad.
Drago took home $17,000 for the win; Bustamante collected $7,500; and
Marcus Chamat and Jeremy Jones each received $4,000 for third.
