Fans to give Bata strength in World Cup

Pool legend Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante hope to draw strength from the Filipino fans when they gun for a second straight World Cup of Pool title starting September 7 in Robinsons Place in Ermita, Manila.

Regarded as one of the world's greatest players, Reyes said it will be an uphill climb for him and his partner to repeat as champions, but acknowledged that home court advantage may spell the difference in the tourney that will stake a total purse of $250,000 (P11.5 million).

"Napakabigat ng makakalaban natin dito. Kasama na diyan yung pagiging niyerbyoso natin.Pero ang magiging advantage natin dito yung home court fans," said Reyes, 55, in Wednesday's press launching of the event hosted by Solar Sports at Solar Century Tower in Makati.

Bustamante, also the reigning World 9-ball champion, and Reyes captured last year's title here in Manila via a riveting 11-9 triumph against Germans Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann.

Django, who will be enshrined to the Billiards Congress of America (BCA) Hall of Fame next month, wasn't around on Wednesday as he was in Germany, but Reyes said they will go all out to snare their third title overall.

The duo also won the inaugural tournament at the expense of Americans Earl Strickland and Rodney Morris, 13-5, in 2006 in Newport, Wales.

As host country, the Philippines gets the chance to field in two squads in the 32-team field with Bata and Bustamante comprising Team A and Roberto Gomez and Dennis Orcollo making up Team B.

Even Orcollo admitted that if ever they meet their Reyes and Bustamante in the finals, they will surely have a hard time considering the mammoth crowd that will root for the other two.

"Siyempre pag sila makalaban mo, mas marami silang kakampi. Magbibingi-bingihan na lang kami ni (Roberto) Gomez," said the former world no. 1 Orcollo, appearing alongside Solar Sports CEO Peter Chanliong and Wilson Cheng.

Gomez, the losing finalist in the World Pool Championship here in Manila in 2007, will see action in the tourney for the first time, replacing Ronnie Alcano, Orcollo's partner last year.

Reyes and Bustamante open their campaign against Thailand's Nitiwat Kanjanasri and Surathep Phoochalam at 6 p.m. on opening day in a match billed as a preview of the coming Asian Games set in China this November.

Orcollo and Gomez will not see action until Sept. 8 against Croatia's Carlo Dalmatin and Philipp Stojanovic at 6 p.m.

source:mb