MANILA, Philippines - Though he would have naturally wanted to compete as a player in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, reigning world pool champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante will assume his role as coach of the men’s team with as much fervor.
“It’s okay with me to go there as a coach. I really wanted to help the national team in any way I can,” Bustamante said in Filipino during the last training day and simple sendoff for the 14-member Phl billiards and snooker teams yesterday.
Bustamante failed to earn a berth to Guangzhou when the team conducted tryouts last summer. Making it to the team are pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes and Roberto Gomez Jr. (8-ball singles), Dennis Orcollo and Warren Kiamco (9-ball singles) and Reynaldo Grandea, Benjamin Gueverra, Rodolfo Luat, Alvin Barbero and Marlon Manalo in the various snooker events.
“Although they considered to give me a spot (later on), I wouldn’t want to take the place of one who qualified. I’m okay with whatever position they put me in,” said Bustamante, a gold medalist in the 2002 Asian Games in partrnership with Antonio Lining.
“It’s my first time as a coach. I’m devoting my time helping the players in various aspects of the game, especially in breaking, which is very important in 9-ball considering the format is only a race-to-seven, alternate break,” he added.
The Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) leadership said it targets four gold medals from the 8-ball and 9-ball events of both the men’s and women’s divisions. Carrying the country’s hopes in the pool events of the distaff side are former world champion Rubilen Amit and Iris Ranola.
“I don’t want to guarantee a number of gold medal. But all I can say is we have a very good chance because the players have prepared hard and I’m sure they will do everything to bring honor to the country,” said Bustamante.
He tagged Chinese Taipei, which won two gold and two bronze medals in the 2006 Asiad, as the toughest rival of the Philippines (1-2-0 four years ago).