Partners Django, Bata to defend title

MANILA, Philippines – Partners Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante are set to defend their title at the PartyPoker.net 2010 World Cup of Pool, which begins on Tuesday (September 7) at Robinsons Place Manila.

Bustamante and Reyes, who make up Philippines Team A, said they are proud to have the competition in the Philippines.

“Proud kami, masaya kami dito sa atin ginagawa,” said Bustamante.

Reyes, for his part, hopes that luck will be on their side when they start their bid to retain the title for the country.

“Sa tagal ng panahon, buti na lang may hilig pa rin sa akin ang bilyar at nase-swertehan pa akong manalo paminsan-minsan,” said Reyes, the billiards legend known as “The Magician."

Reyes and Bustamante defeated Team Germany in 2009 finals for the title.

As host of the competition, the Philippines will also have a Team B composed of veterans Roberto “Superman” Gomez and former World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo.

“We have been practicing, me and my partner. We are playing well,” said Gomez.

Partner-participants will fight for the $60,000 top prize (roughly P2.5 million).

Other partners competing are Finland’s Mika “The Iceman” Immonen and Markus Java, Germany’s Ralf Soquet and Oliver Ortmann, Chinese Taipei’s Ko Pin Yi and Chang Jung Lin, and the United States’ Rodney Morris and Johnny Archer.

“We don't have any expectations, so many great teams…Philippines, China and others. We'll just give it our best,” said Germany’s Soquet.

His partner Ortman said they love playing in the Philippines because of how they are well-received by local billiard fans.

“Always a great honor to play here. So many great teams. It's a different story playing here. It’s a special atmosphere. It's so fun. People go crazy here,” he said.