Bata, Django display brilliance

Billiards legends Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante put on a show in front of local fans as they beat their respective opponents in impressive fashions in the WNT Legends at the Gateway Mall in Cubao on Wednesday.

The 71-year-old Reyes treated crowd to a spectacular display of pool wizardry as he posted an 11-8 victory over Ralf Souquet of Germany while Bustamante logged an 11-9 victory over Earl Strickland on the first day of this three-day spectacle put up by Matchroom Pool and Puyat Sports led by its president Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, who is also the president of the Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines.

Tied at 8-8, Reyes won the next three racks to finish off his German rival in what is considered a preview of his upcoming match with his longtime rival Strickland on Thursday.

Souquet, a member of the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame, said he enjoyed the atmosphere and the day he spent with the legendary cue artist, whom he has been playing against for the past three decades.

“Despite the result, I really enjoyed playing against Efren again. Both he and Django played very well today, but tomorrow Earl and I will be looking for redemption,” Souquet said.

“Playing in front of such a passionate crowd here in the Philippines is always special, and it felt great to return to the same incredible atmosphere we experienced at last year’s Philippines Open.”

Meanwhile, Bustamante said his victory over Strickland in the opening match was no easy feat since both of them are already past their primes.

“I really enjoyed today. It’s special to see all the legends here together under one roof,” said Bustamante, who broke a 9-9 deadlock and grabbed the win in the last two racks to secure the victory.

“Playing Earl is always tough — it has been that way for years — and he’s still as good as ever. I think luck was on my side today, and that made the difference.”

Strickland, on the other hand, hopes to pick up a win over Reyes in a nostalgic rematch of their unforgettable duel Color of Money match exactly 30 years ago.