It’s final, no go for Django

The Philippine billiards team will compete in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, Korea minus 9-ball ace Francisco "Django" Bustamante, a serious contender for the gold in the event.

The Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines shut the door on Bustamante, keeping the team of Efren "Bata" Reyes, Antonio "Nickoy" Lining, Warren Kiamco and Lee Van Corteza to do the task in the Busan joust.

BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo said they were left with no other choice but to turn down Bustamante’s wish of playing for the national squad because all the slots have long been given to other players.

"Of course, we want to win as many gold medals as possible in the Asian Games but we have to follow a system," said Fajardo. "We have a system in forming the team and we just can’t add another player at the expense of one who has been training for a year now."

But even without Bustamante, Fajardo believes the RP billiards team is capable of getting the lion’s share of the 10 gold medals to be contested in the sport.

Fajardo recalled the BSCP bending its rules last year to accommodate Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat and Leonardo "Dodong" Andam for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games also because of popular clamor. Alas, it was the trio of original team members Lining, Kiamco and Corteza who delivered the gold.

"Deserving din naman itong si Lining, Kiamco at Corteza na dalhin ang bansa sa ganitong klaseng competition. Bakit hindi sila bigyan ng pagkakataon sa Asian Games?" said Fajardo.

National coach Ricardo Ancaja, meanwhile, said he has talked to Reyes Tuesday but the billiard champ never mentioned his wish to shift from the 8-ball to 9-ball competitions.

"Nagkausap kami ni Bata kagabi . Eh wala naman siyang nabanggit na gusto niyang lumipat sa 9-ball," said Ancaja.