FRANCISCO “Django” Bustamante defeated compatriot Antonio “Nickoy” Lining, 11-7, in an all Filipino finals to win the championship of the 2009 All Japan 9-Ball Championship at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan, on Sunday.
Bustamante, playing under the banner of sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat of Puyat Sports, the former world's top-ranked pool player, earned 2 Million Yen (roughly P800,000). It was Bustamante's second major championship since teaming up with fellow Puyat Sports ace Efren “Bata” Reyes to take the PartyCasino.net World Cup of Pool title.
"Once again, congratulations Django (Francisco Bustamante). You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph," said RP billiards God Father Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.
To gain slots in the championship round, Bustamante defeated last year's WPA World junior champion Pin-Yi Ko of Chinese-Taipei, 11-8, and countryman Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, 11-9, in the semifinals.
According to Japan based and veteran campaigner Eduardo “Tisoy” Saracho, the Pasil, Cebu native Kiamco had a chance to tie the game at 10-10, but missed a one ball in the final rack allowing Bustamante to escape with a narrow 11-9 victory in their semi-final duel.
Kiamco, member of the rising Negros Billiard Stable of Businessman Jonathan Sy received 1 Million Yen (roughly P400,000), while Lining and Po Cheng Kuo of Chinese-Taipei earned 500,000 Yen (roughly P200,000) each.
The fierce international field included double world champions (WPA 9-ball and WPA 8-ball ) Efren “Bata” Reyes and Ralf Souquet of Germany, former All Japan champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza, ex-WPA 9-ball runner-up Pei Wei Chang of Chinese-Taipei, Hijikata Hayato and Keisuke Hanawa of the host country, among others.
The Women's Division of this prestigous event was won by China's Han Yu who ended the event with wins over Pei-Chun Tsai, Ya-Ting Chan, Shu-Han Chang and Yun Mi Lim in the finals.
