Django pockets NY billiards crown

Francisco "Django" Bustamante rallied from three racks down to beat Dennis Hatch, 13-11, and rule the 2005 Joss Tour Season Finale at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York.

The former world No. 1 went undefeated in the tough tournament and produced victories over compatriot Efren "Bata" Reyes and two-time world champion Johnny Archer on his way to victory.

Hatch came all the way from the losers’ bracket to challenge Bustamante. He prevented an all-Filipino finale after beating Reyes in a hill-hill battle.

With his vaunted power breaks not working to his advantage at the onset, Bustamante saw Hatch race to a 5-2 lead. But the Filipino cue master recovered quickly and clustered six straight rack wins to take an 8-5 advantage.

The win earned Bustamante $10,000, his biggest pay check this year. Hatch settled for $6,000.

Reyes finished third and pocketed $4,000 while Archer placed fourth and earned $3,000.

Another legendary Filipino cue artist Jose "Amang" Parica made good account of himself by finishing tied for fifth and sixth spots and splitting the $2,100 prize with former world champion Ralf Souquet of Germany.

Bustamante and Reyes are also expected to have another big payday in October when they compete in the Philippine 9-Ball Open.

Both are seeded in the main draw of the tournament co-organized by Solar Sports and Puyat Sports.