FILIPINO Francisco “Django” Bustamante finally got his redemption.
Seven days after absorbing a crushing defeat to Indon Ricky Yang in the semifinals of the 26th Southeast Asian Games’ 9-ball billiards event at Jakabaring Billiard Arena in Palembang, Indonesia, the Tarlac City native Bustamante edged Britain’s Daryl “The Dazzler” Peach, 9-8, to end the foreign domination in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face Off Series 10-ball championship last Saturday at the PAGCOR Airport Casino in Paranaque City.
Bustamante, former World 9-ball champion, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports, took a 6-4 lead but Peach regained a 8-7 lead in the 15th rack.
But the 39-year-old Peach, who hails from Castleford, West Yorkshire, England, failed to sink the 8-ball, allowing Bustamante to tie the match at 8-all in the 16th rack.
Bustamante finished off Peach in the final frame.
“I’m simply overwhelmed,” said Bustamante, who is schedule to celebrate his 48th birthday on Dec. 29.
German ace Ralf “Kaiser” Souquet had earlier defeated Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and Carlo “The Black Tiger” Biado in the first two matches of the series. /correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO