Lining eases Django as pool world No. 1

MANILA, Philippines - Antonio “Nikoy” Lining may have fallen short of his title bid in the recent Philippine Open Pool Championships but his performance in the 10-ball event will put him on top of the world.

Lining is expected to overtake reigning world 9-ball champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante as the No. 1 player in the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) ranking after his semifinal stint in the Phl Open.

The left-handed cuemaster from Mindoro will earn 300 points for his Last-4 finish, more than enough to topple idle Bustamante from the summit. Prior to the Phl Open, the fourth ranking event in the WPA calendar, Bustamate led Lining by only 82 ranking points, 1292 versus 1210.

“Masaya ako at magiging No. 1,” said Lining, who also gained points from his showings in the 2010 world 9-ball championships (third place) and 2010 China Open (second place) and a 17th place finish in the 2011 world 8-ball tilt.