Bustamante wins NYC Championship

The Blaze 9 Ball Tour hosted the 3rd Annual NYC Championships, held at Skyline Billiards in Brooklyn, New York. Special thanks to Sammy Wu and Robert Pole for hosting the event.

A strong field of 61 players came out to play, including notable players like: Francisco Bustamante, Johnny Archer, Manny Chau, Mika Immonen, Mike Davis, Ignacio Chavez, Shaun Wilkie, Eddie Abraham, Matt Krah, Mike Dechaine and Alan Rolon.

Leading the top half of the bracket was Mika Immonen with wins over Alex Gilvarg 9-1, Ray Lee 9-0, Mhet Vergara 9-2, Francisco Bustamante 9-7, and Mike Davis 9-7. Leading the bottom half of the bracket was Manny Chau with wins over Ariel Rivera 9-1, Kevin Coyle 9-3, Mike Fingers 9-1, Mike Dechaine 9-5, and Ignacio Chavez 9-3.

Playing for the hot seat was Manny Chau vs Mika Immonen. This was a great match with Manny Chau winning the match easily 9-5, sending Mika Immonen to the one loss side. Waiting for Mika Immonen on the one loss side was Francisco Bustamante. This was a one way match with Francisco Bustamante winning easily 7-1 to get to the finals.

In the finals it was Francisco Bustamante vs Manny Chau. This was one race to 9 and it was all Bustamante taking control of the match from the start and winning easily 9-4.

Django opens bid in Straight Pool

Francisco “Django” Bustamante hopes to live up to his lofty billing as one of the world’s top billiards player when he competes Wednesday, in the World 14.1 Straight Pool Championships in Hilton East Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.

Fresh from a third place finish in the inaugural Million Dollar 9-Ball held recently in Pennsylvania, Bustamante - playing under the banner of Puyat Sports - is bunched in Group 5 in the company of reigning world 8-ball champion Ralf “Kaiser” Souquet of Germany, Martin Kempter of Austria, Vincent Facquet of France, Tony Robles, Dan Wallace, Carmen Lombardo and Jonathan Smith of the United States.

“If you could pick four top pros that stand head and shoulders above the rest, (Django) Bustamante would be in that mix,” commented Raj Hundal in the official website yesterday. Hundal is currently ranked No. 5 in the US Pro Rankings and he is representing India in the event.

“I play a little bit of straight pool in Germany, but this is my first time in a big tournament,” said 2002 World Pool Championships runner-up Bustamante who will be making his international debut in the 14.1. “But I think I can play a little still,” he says with a smile.

Other renowned cue artists set to play were former World Straight Pool champion Allen Hopkins and Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer of the host country, Neils “The Terminator” Feijen of the Netherlands, Thorsten “The Hitman” Hohmann, Thomas “The Lean Machine” Engert and Oliver “Machine” Ortmann of Germany, Mika “The Iceman” Immonen of Finland, Radoslaw Babica of Poland, and world women's No. 1 player Jasmin Ouschan of Austria, among others.

Bustamante, Immonen, and Archer Win Opening 14.1 Rounds

Three days of preliminary round robin play launched the $25,000-added, 2008 Predator Straight Pool Championships in East Brunswick, NJ, August 25. Eight groups of eight players, featuring competitors from all over the world, squared off to play two or three opening rounds of play (depending on match progress within the groups) at the Hilton Hotel.

The Philippines’ Francisco Bustamante started his tournament bid with a 100-79 victory over Carmen Lombardo and then handed Tony “The Silent Assassin” Robles his first defeat of the tournament 100-39. Germany’s Ralf Souquet (#12), in that same group, defeated Austria’s Martin Kempter (#5) 100-64 in his opening match.

Finland’s Mika Immonen (#7) started off in grand style, allowing two opponents to sink only 39 balls between them. He defeated USA’s Bobby Hunter 100-9 in a match that saw Immonen sink 86 in a row, and then defeated Mark Ritter 100-30.

Fresh off his Turning Stone Classic win, Johnny Archer started his tournament off with two victories, as well, defeating Austria’s Jasmin Ouschan 100-36 and then Netherland’s Mohammed Hakim 100-68. Though Thorsten Hohmann (#2) defeated tournament founder Charlie Williams 100-68 to start his tournament off on a positive note, Williams rebounded to win his next two against Jonathan Fulcher 100-66 and Devon Cataldi 100-31.

Recent Hall of Fame inductee Allen Hopkins, seeded #16, handed defending champion Oliver Ortmann an early defeat 100-60 and followed it with an even stronger showing versus fellow American, Bernie Pettipiece 100-18. Within that same grouping, USA’s Mike Dechaine defeated Korea’s Yu Ram Cha 100-35 and followed it with a 100-41 victory over countryman Bill Maropolous.

High run of the day honors went to USA’s Corey Deuel in a 100-54 victory over Earl Herring. Deuel had been defeated by Nick Van Den Berg 100-30 in the opening round of play and watched as Herring broke and ran 54 balls in the opening moments of their match. Deuel stepped to the table and ran 100 balls to win the match.

Other double winners in the opening rounds of play included the Netherlands’ Niels Feijen (#13), who ran 91 balls in a 100-41 victory over USA’s Danny Harriman (#4), and followed that with a 100-33 victory over Bob Maidhof. Shaun Wilkie defeated Dominic Jentsch 100-76 and turned in a commanding 100-8 performance against Dan Heidrich. Germany’s Thomas Engert (#6) opened his tournament bid with a 100-52 victory over Raj Hundal (#11). The Netherlands’ Huidji See (#3) fell to USA’s John Schmidt 100-85 before rebounding to defeat John Rousseau 100-19.

Bustamante Headlines Alternates at Predator World 14.1 Championship

Five players have emerged from the shadows of the alternate list to replace some of the top names in The Predator World 14.1 Straight Pool Championship. The event is being held at the Hilton East Brunswick, NJ from Aug 25-30,2008. A few of the top names that had run into challenges making the event included Dennis Hatch, George SanSouci, and Stevie Moore.

The players joining play will be Francisco Bustamante (PHI), Ignacio Chavez (MEX), Alan Rolon (PUR), Carmen Lombardo (USA), John Rousseau (USA), and Earl Herring (USA).

Philippines has sent their lone soldier, but it’s a good one. Francisco Bustamante will be making his international debut in 14.1 . Bustamante has for the past decade established himself on a level even higher than just a top pro player in the eyes of some of today’s best players.

“If you could pick four top pros that stand head and shoulders above the rest, Bustamante would be in that mix.” noted Raj Hundal, currently ranked #5 on the US Pro Rankings and representing India in the event. “I play a little bit of straight pool in Germany awhile ago, but this is my first time in a big tournament.” commented Bustamante, former #1 in the world. “But I think I can play a little still.” he says with a smile.

One historic note is the participation of throw back player Earl Herring. Herring will be the first African American player to play in the World 14.1 Championship in over twenty years, and the first in the new millennium since Dragon Promotions has revived the World 14.1 . Herring played in his last World Straight Pool in 1977, which Allen Hopkins would win. Herring placed 4th in the 1976 event.

“Earl is a legend in his home parts of New York. In his younger days they said he ran 100’s all the time, and he has a ton of fans coming down to support him. He has been practicing for months for this event, so I’m so glad he got in even at the last minute.” said Tony Robles, one of the hometown favorites to win this year.

At the players meeting, Herring was greeted with many handshakes from old friends and an embrace from Allen Hopkins who remembered Earl well from that era. “Earl has played against names such as Irving Crane, Luther Lassiter, Joe Balsis, Cicero Murphy and more. He is a living link to an era long gone. It’s amazing to have him in this event.” said Charlie Williams, co-producer of the event.

Latin America will have additional representatives in Mexico’s Ignacio Chavez and Puerto Rico’s Alan Rolon. Chavez is a well known money player who is feared throughout the US circuit, while Rolon is one of the best players to come out of Latin America. John Rousseau was one of the fortunate alternates who had played in the Arizona Qualifier and was actually on hand in person at the event when the spot opened. Carmen Lombardo, a regular on the Joss Northeast Tour, also got in.

Fans and players can still reserve rooms at Hilton East Brunswick at 1-732-828-2000
The room code for the event is “POL” There are still limited amount of rooms available.
Tickets can be purchased in advanced at Dragonpromotions.com or in person at Amsterdam Billiards in NYC or Comet Billiards in NJ.

The 2008 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Dr.Michael Fedak of NYC, Joel Schapiro of NYC, The Predator Group, Diamond Billiard Products, Aramith Balls, and Simonis Cloth. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

2008 Predator World 14.1 Championship Group Pairings

East Brunswick, New Jersey-  Dragon Promotions announces the official group pairings for the 2008 Predator World Straight Pool Championship. The round robin stage will be held Aug 25-27, with the field narrowed to 32 in the double elimination stage races to 150 on Aug 28, and the last sixteen playing race to 200 points on Aug 29-30.

There may be last minute changes and substitutions in the schedule and the event if a player is not able to attend.
Official Group Pairings of the 2008 Predator World 14.1 Championship. Round Robin Races to 100 Points.

Group 1

Oliver Ortmann  GER
Allen Hopkins USA
Yu Ram Cha KOR
Mike Dechaine USA
Bernie Pettipiece USA
Bob Chamberlain USA
Bill Maropolous USA
Peter Burrows USA

Group 2

Thorsten Hohmann  GER
Mike Sigel USA
Jonathan Fulcher  SCO 
Charlie Williams USA
Stevie Moore USA
Jim Gottier USA
Devon Cataldi USA
Allan Cornia USA

Group 3

Huidji See NED
John Schmidt USA 
Dominic Jentsch GER
Shaun Wilkie USA
Mark Vidal SPN
Jimmy Mendoza  USA
Dan Heidrich USA USA
David Daya USA

Group 4

Danny Harriman USA
Niels Feijen  NED
Danny Barouty USA
Gerda Hofstatter AUT
Bob Maidhof USA
Chris Lynch USA
Mark Snodgrass USA
Stefan Cohen FRA

Group 5

Martin Kempter AUT
Ralf Souquet GER
Tony Robles USA
Francisco Bustamante PHI
Vincent Facquet FRA
Dan Wallace USA
Dennis Hatch USA
Jonathan Smith USA

Group 6

Thomas Engert GER
Raj Hundal  IND
Corey Deuel USA
Nick Van Denberg NED
Sebastian Staab GER
Liz Ford USA
Tom Parisian USA
Shin Young Park KOR

Group 7

Mika Immonen FIN
Bobby Hunter USA
Konstantin Stepanov RUS
Mike Davis USA
Ed Deska USA
Mark Ritter USA
Michael Yednak USA
Bob M. Cozzolino USA

Group 8

Johnny Archer USA
Jasmin Ouschan AUT
Radoslaw Babica POL
Tony Rodriguez  USA 
Calvin Coker USA
Mohammed Hakim NED 
Steve Lipsky USA
Steve Lillis USA

Fans and players can still reserve rooms at Hilton East Brunswick at 1-732-828-2000. The room code for the event is "POL"    There are still limited amount of rooms available. Tickets can be purchased in advanced at www.dragonpromotions.com or in person at the event, or at Amsterdam Billiards in NYC or Comet Billiards in NJ.

The 2008 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Dr.Michael Fedak of NYC, Joel Schapiro of NYC, The Predator Group, Diamond Billiard Products, Aramith Balls, and Simonis Cloth. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email, worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.

Orcollo, Django team up for World Cup of Pool tilt

World No. 1 Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and Francisco “Django” Bustamante will seek to surpass the Philippines’ quarterfinal finish last year, when they compete in the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool which gets underway on October 7 to 12 at the Outland Nightclub in Rotterdam, Holland.

Orcollo and Bustamante, will represent the second-seeded Team Philippines. They will play in the last first round match against Denmark's Martin Larsen and Kasper Kristoffersen. It shall be recalled that Bustamante teamed up with pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes in reaching the quarters last year where they lost to eventual champion Li He-wen and Fu Jian-bo of China.

Li and Fu, the tournament’s top seed, will open their title-retention bid against India's Sumit Talwar and Alok Kumar. Reyes dubbed as the Magician in the world of pool and Bustamante, beat the US team of Earl “The Pearl” Strickland and Rodney “The Rocket” Morris in the 2006 finals held in Newport, South Wales, England to bag the tournament’s inaugural championship trophy.

The USA pair of Morris and American No. 1 Shane “The South Dakota Kid” Van Boening will meet newcomers Iceland bannered by Bjorgvin Hallgrimsson and Kristjan Helgason. The host country, on the other hand, will parade the pair of Nick van den Berg and Niels “The Terminator” Feijen, ranked fifth and sixth respectively in Europe. They will open against the Belgian duo of Serge Das and Noel Bruynooghe.

The World Cup of Pool is a Scotch doubles event, which features 32 two-player teams from around the world. The World Cup of Pool will be produced by Matchroom Sport into 31 1-hour highlights program which will be seen on stations throughout the world. The format calls for each player pair to alternate shooting in every inning until they miss or finish a rack.

Prizes for this year will remain the same: a total purse of $250,000 with $30,000 going to each member of the winning team. First round losers are guaranteed $1,500/player.

Bustamante still red-hot in Turning Stone Classic

Former world No. 1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante racked up huge wins in the winner's bracket to stay in the hunt for a title in the 2008 Turning Stone Classic XI 9-Ball Tournament at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York, USA on Sunday.

Bustamante, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports, dumped Americans Chris Szuter, 9-2, in the fourth and Dennis Hatch, 9-5, in the fifth.

But Filipino legend Jose "Amang" Parica and Mhet Vergara were not as fortunate as they dropped their respective matches in the loser's bracket to get ousted in the $25,000 total pot prize, double-elimination tournament.

The West Covina, California resident Parica, acknowledge leader of the Filipino invasion in the US pool circuit in the mid 80s, bowed to American Shawn Putnam, 9-6, while the New York-based Vergara yielded to Mexican warrior Oscar Dominguez, 9-4.

Parica earlier lost to reigning US Open 9-Ball Champion Shane "The South Dakota Kid" Van Boening, 9-0, in the fourth round of the winner's bracket. Vergara dropped his opening match against Bulgarian Ivaylo Petrov, 9-5.

The 2002 World Pool Championship runner-up Bustamante, who is fresh from a third place finish in the Million Dollar 9-ball shootout, will face UK's pride Raj Hundal in the next round.

Hundal won over Greg Antonakos, 9-4, and Ronnie Wiseman, 9-4, in order. Other noted players who remained in the win column were Charlie "The Korean Dragon" Williams, Shaun Wilkie and Jeremy Jones.