Bata, Django offer to power SEAG bid

Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and two others have offered their services to lead the country’s bid in this year’s Southeast Asian Games set Dec. 5-14 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, a known patron of Reyes, Bustamante, Warren Kiamco and Antonio "Nickoy" Lining, said he has informed Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit of the local cue masters’ bid for the SEAG.

"We have written the POC a letter informing them that four of our very best billiards players are willing to participate in the SEA Games this December," said Puyat in yesterday’s launching of an exhibition series between RP and European masters in Quezon City.

"They’ve done that before and I think they’ll do it again, they gave me their word," he added.

The participation of the four, who combined for a gold, a silver and a pair of bronze medals in last year’s Busan Asian Games, thus strengthened the country’s chances of taking home more medals in Hanoi.

Reyes, tapped as favorite to win this year’s World Pool Championships in Cardiff, Wales, said he is just eager to compete for flag and country in the SEAG.

"Siyempre gusto ko nang maglaro ulit sa SEA Games," said Reyes."Kumpara sa Asian Games, mas di hamak naman na mas kaunti ang magagaling sa SEA Games kaya malaking pag—asa natin doong magka-medalya na naman."

Meanwhile, the visiting European team and the local bets downplayed their chances in the On Cue! Europe vs Philippines 9-ball tournament which fires off tomorrow at The Loop Entertainment Center inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City.

"Sa tingin ko patas lang ang labanan dahil magagaling din sila," said Efren "Bata" Reyes, who is set to become the first Filipino to be inducted to the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame on July 12, in a media launching yesterday at the ELJ Building.

"Fifty-fifty siguro dahil marurunong din ang mga iyan," Francisco "Django" Bustamante, last year’s World Pool Championship runner-up to American Earl Strickland in Cardiff, Wales.

Both Reyes and Bustamante agreed that the home court advantage would play a big factor in their bid to beat the Europeans spearheaded by 2001 world champion Mika Immonen of Finland.

But as far as Immonen, nicknamed The Iceman for his cool and calm demeanor, is concerned, the crowd could also lead to Filipinos’ downfall in the five-day event to be aired at Studio 23 from July 2 to 6.

"The problem with playing before your hometown crowd is the pressure so it just may turn out in our favor," said Immonen, a constant visitor to RP who is now owner of a coffee joint in Quezon City.

Playing alongside Bustamante and Reyes in the RP side are Warren Kiamco and Antonio "Nickoy" Lining while Imonen is teaming up with Ralf Soquet of Germany, Marcus Chamat of Sweden and Neils Feijen of Holland.

While Immonen looked confident in their upcoming duel, Feijen and Chamat said they were just happy playing the Filipino cue masters whom they consider icons.

"It’s going to be a tough tournament because of the high level of play," said Feijen. "I’m really excited about playing the Filipinos especially Efren and Francisco because they’re my idols."

"Me? I’m just happy to be here competing in a country considered as a mecca of pool," said Chamat. "I just hope I could play my best against Reyes and Bustamante."

All but Soquet, who is set to plane in late last night, was present in the launching along with ABS CBN’s project director for sports Peter Musngi, billiards patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat and Games and Amusement Board (GAB) commissioner Emmanuel Palabrica.