DAVAO CITY , Philippines – Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante trounced their respective unheralded foes to advance to the round-of-16 and keep their bids alive in The Manny Villar Cup Kadayawan leg before a huge crowd at the Activity Center of the NCCC Mall here.
Reyes took to school Manila qualifier Ruben Cuna, scoring a 9-2 rout to advance his quest for a first title in this prestigious island-hopping series presented by Sen. Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippines Sports.
Bustamante, on the other hand, used his vast experience to the hilt in bringing down local bet Roberto Bermejo, 9-4, to remain on track for his second Villar Cup plum after his title run in the Baguio-Panagbenga leg last February.
“Hindi rin madali ‘tong panalong ito, dahil magaling din ‘yung nakalaban ko. Medyo maganda lang ang itinira ko, at gustung-gusto ko talagang manalo dito sa Villar Cup bilang pasasalamat na rin kay Sen. Manny sa patuloy niyang pagsuporta sa bilyar,” said Reyes, whose runner-up finish to Warren Kiamco in the inaugural Alabang leg in May 2008 was his best performance in this series sponsored by Camella Communities.
Reyes was to face Carlo Biado, a rising star from La Union, who defeated Jech Limen, 9-6, in their first round encounter in this tournament coorganized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) headed by its president Vic Rodriguez.
Bustamante also drew another promising talent in Egie Geronimo, who eked out a 9-8 squeaker over veteran Godofredo Ducanes.
In other matches, it was Bulacan leg champion Ramil Gallego over Davao bet Christopher Alalunay, 9-3; Ricky Zerna over Benjie Guevarra, 9-5; Ronnie Alcano over Joven Bustamante, 9-7; and Kiamco over Ben Hasmer Kusain, 9-5.