FRANCISCO “DJANGO” BUSTAMANTE could not complete a two-game sweep of German Ralf Souquet and finished second in the 9-Ball finals, but just the same, the former No. 1 is going home as the 2008 Master of the Table from the 2008 Derby City Classic that ended yesterday at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

Souquet, for sweeping all 14 games before the finals, owned a twice-to-beat advantage and almost lost it when Bustamante won, 7-2.

But the German got his bearing back and won, 7-2, to pocket the title and the $17,500 (P0.7 million) cash prize that went with it.

Bustamante settled for the $8,800 (P352,000) second-place prize money in the third and final tournament of the annual series that attracted more than 400 players from around the world.

The Filipino sensation entered the 9-Ball finals already a big winner as the Master of the Table which he pocketed for finishing strongly in the One Pocket (third) and 9-Ball Bank (seventh) divisions. He will bring home the $20,000 (P0.8 million) bonus for being the best all-around performer of the three-in-one tournament.

One Pocket winner Gabe Owen came in second, while Souquet landed third in the race for the Master of the Table plum, which was previously held by Efren “Bata” Reyes, who was also the defending One Pocket champion.

American Larry Price bagged the 9-Ball Bank title.

Alex Pagulayan was the second-best finisher among the six Filipinos who saw action in the series. The 2004 World Pool champion was seventh in the Banks Division, fourth in One Pocket and ninth in the 9-Ball.

The other Filipinos who competed were Rodolfo Luat, Jose “Amang” Parica and Santos Sambajon.

Men’s tennis finalists prove no match vs. foes on opening day

DEFENDING champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) and runner-up University of the Philippines (UP) trounced separate rivals Sunday afternoon in the opening day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 70 men’s tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

John-James Tigers combo too much to handle for Maroons

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) continued its stranglehold of the top spot with an easy 25-19, 26-24, 25-19 over University of the Philippines (UP) Saturday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s volleyball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym.

ADAMSON University spoiled the debut of basketball ace Kirk Long in another sport, beating Ateneo, 8-3, Sunday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark.

Roxas City is the first option of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to host the season’s All-Star weekend.

FRANCISCO “DJANGO” BUSTAMANTE could not complete a two-game sweep of German Ralf Souquet and finished second in the 9-Ball finals, but just the same, the former No. 1 is going home as the 2008 Master of the Table from the 2008 Derby City Classic that ended yesterday at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) announced yesterday the lifting of the temporary ban on the importation of horses from Australia.

OUR good Australian friend Peter Morrison wrote me about an American racing fan who had watched races in Manila lately and commented on how horses were kept waiting for so long at the back of the gate before the race is started.