Bata, Django stay on course

Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante remained on collision course as they trampled their respective rivals in the third round of the US Open 9-ball Championship at the Cheasepeake Conference Center in Cheasepeake, Virgina, USA Wednesday.

Reyes, who earlier humbled compatriot Rodolfo Luat, 11-6, trounced Buzzy Labriola, 11-4, to advance to the next round against Donnie Mills where a victory, coupled with Bustamante’s win, will set up the top two Filipino players in a duel for group honors in the tournament which drew the top 157 players in the world.

Bustamante, the leading money winner on the tour with $91,000 in earnings, survived Tony Watson, 11-9, in the second round then fought back from 5-6 deficit to sweep the next six racks and fashion out an 11-6 victory over Jeff Pillon.

The power-breaking bet from Tarlac faces Santos Sambajon in the fourth round, hoping to get past the American ace and arrange a keenly-awaited duel with the former world 9-ball champion.

Also making his presence felt in the other bracket of the two-division tournament, Jose "Amang" Parica beat Paul Raval, 11-4, in the second round then dominated Steve Lipsky, 11-3, in the next stage to arrange a clash with Mike Davis.