Foul shot ends Django’s dreams

For all his victories and rich earnings, Django Bustamante has this feeling of emptiness minus the WPC crown in his treasure chest.

For the nth time, Bustamante went short of his bid to win the WPC yesterday, beaten by Englishman Daryl Peach in a controversial quarterfinals match-up.

Leading 10-9, Bustamante thought he had made it to the semifinals following a 3/9 carom shot, but Welsh referee Nigel Rees ruled it a foul.

Bustamante protested the call and slow-motion replay was used to see if the call was right. After a lengthy discussion, World Pool Association sports director Thomas Overbeck upheld Rees’ decision. Overbeck said the video showed the official was correct that the cue-ball brushed the 9-ball before contacting the 3-ball and then sending the 9-ball into the pocket.

Showing great poise under tremendous pressure, Peach cleaned up the table at the resumption of play to force a hill-hill situation.

Running it out in the deciding rack, the Englishman broke into tears as he was congratulated by a small army of supporters amid the booing of the hometown crowd.

The Filipino pool fans sympathized with Bustamante who was once again frustrated to achieve an elusive dream.

Bustamante had said “It would be great if I get it now. I would be more than satisfied, happy even if I never win it again.”

Peach cashed in on some Bustamante errors in the early stages to open up a 6-1 lead. The 43-year-old Filipino took the next two racks before allowing Peach another chance.

The Englishman, who used to play snooker, made it 9-4 but he scratched on the 14th rack, giving Bustamante an opening to surge ahead.

It had looked a won match for the Filipino until the fateful foul.