Archer tames Django in final

Two-time world champion Johnny Archer of the United States kept his hot streak going and the foreign pool masters continued to dominate Filipino stars in their own turf.

Archer captured a fourth straight crown and sustained the run of foreign pool invaders on Philippine soil as he humbled Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 13-10, in the On Cue 2: Battle of Champions 9-ball Showdown final at the Robinson’s Galleria Trade Hall last night.

Not only displaying crafty shot-making but also enjoying breaks of the game, the American pool shark avenged his 3-7 loss to Bustamante in their elimination-round duel for the championship worth $20,000. The Filipino pocketed $10,000 for his runner-up finish.

Curiously, foreign masters have now won the last three international invitational tournaments in the country with 2002 World Pool winner Mika Immonen ruling the Motolite 9-ball Showdown late last year and the On Cue 1: Battle of Champions early this year.

Clinching the match with an ace on the 23rd rack, Archer showed expression of disbelief first before whooping it up in celebrating his fourth straight championship following triumphant campaigns in Baltimore, New York and his hometown of Atlanta.

"I’m very pleased and proud. I played well all year and I worked hard to get here," said Archer, who’s next stop is Tokyo, Japan.

Archer started hot and poured on the heat till the end as he dominated Bustamante.

The American even led by four racks, 11-7, at one point and kept his concentration on the game as Bustamante got within two at 9-11 and 10-12.

He believed the pressure was heavier on Bustamante as he played in his home country. "It’s not easy playing before your home crowd. I felt that in the last tournament. I won in Atlanta," he said.

Archer built the decisive 11-7 advantage as he won the 17th rack on a great bank shot then the next rack by cleaning up the table after a Bustamante scratch on the break.

Archer later committed errors which Bustamante took advantage of as the Filipino narrowed the gap at 9-11.

But Bustamante failed to sustain his fightback, making his own lapse right on 1-ball in the next rack. Archer cleaned up the table for a 12-9 margin.

Reigning World Pool champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany salvaged third place and a cash prize of $5,000 on an 11-4 demolition of Canada-based Filipino young master Alex Pagulayan.

"It’s good to beat him again," said Hohmann as he repeated his Cardiff, Wales conquest of Pagulayan early this year. "He started well but he made mistakes and I took advantage of it."

Before the Bustamante-Archer finale, the cocky Pagulayan entertained the crowd in the venue with some trick shots. "Ganito talaga ako kapag natatalo," said the 25-year-old, who earned $3,000 for his fourth-place finish.