BAGUIO CITY — Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Roberto Gomez posted similar hard-earned 10-8 victories on Sunday to forge a title clash in the Manny Villar Cup Panagbenga leg at the Events Center of SM City Baguio.
The 45-year-old Bustamante repulsed rising star Rene Mar David’s fiery rally while Gomez rallied from three racks down to subdue Warren Kiamco in a pair of thrilling semifinal duels.
Trailing 3-6, Gomez allowed Kiamco to win only two more racks the rest of the way as the 2007 World Pool Championship runner-up stood on the threshold of becoming the series’ first double leg titlist.
To do that, Gomez, winner of the Davao leg last August, has to get past the multi-titled Bustamante in the race-to-11, alternate break finals slated late Sunday.
Though Bustamante surged ahead at 4-1, he found David a tough customer as the 19-year-old conqueror of pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes in the second round managed to draw level at 8-8.
The wiry David, a two-time Junior World campaigner, even had the chance to reach the hill first, but got stymied when his break on the 17th rack went dry.
It was all Bustamante needed as he cleaned up the open layout and then sealed the win by running out the 18th frame.
Still, David, a prized find from Candon, Ilocos Sur, by Bugsy Promotions head Perry Mariano, left a lasting impression on Bustamante.
“This kid (David) is good and brave,” said Bustamante. “I won’t be surprised if he becomes a world champion someday.”
“I’ve been longing for a victory in the Villar Cup and now that I am this close I’m going to give everything that I’ve got,” added Bustamante, who advanced to the semifinals by besting Lee Vann Corteza, 9-6, in the quarterfinals Saturday night.
Kiamco made the semifinals after downing former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 9-1, in the quarterfinal round.
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