Django Bustamante rolls back the years, stuns world No. 1 Gorst at Philippine Open Pool Championship

Francisco “Django” Bustamante proved that class truly never fades. The 61-year-old Filipino legend turned back the clock with a dramatic win over world No. 1 Fedor Gorst, advancing to the Last 32 of the Philippine Open Pool Championship on Thursday at the Gateway Mall in Cubao.

In a tense hill-hill finish that had the crowd on its feet, Bustamante looked on the brink of heartbreak after missing the 8-ball in the deciding rack. 

But fortune smiled on the Filipino icon as Gorst, under immense pressure, botched his shot on the 9-ball — allowing Django to calmly sink the final two balls and complete one of the tournament’s biggest upsets so far.

It was a vintage performance from the former world champion, who showed flashes of the brilliance that made him a household name in the golden era of Philippine billiards. 

The victory came just a day after his dominant 10-1 demolition of Costa Rica’s Esteban Robles, signaling that the Team Asia captain still has plenty left in the tank. 

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While Django delivered the day’s biggest highlight, fans missed the presence of his longtime friend and legendary partner Efren “Bata” Reyes, who had to withdraw from the event due to illness. Reyes was slated to face reigning world champion Carlo Biado in one of the day’s most anticipated showdowns, but instead gave way to AJ Manas, the reigning Reyes Cup MVP.

Manas made the most of the opportunity, dispatching Dennis Po 10-4 before getting an automatic berth into the Last 32 after his next opponent defaulted.

Online star Jaybee Sucal, meanwhile, saw his inspired run come to an end after falling just short against Spain’s David Alcaide, 10-9. The 16-year-old fan favorite had his chance late in the match but missed a critical 8-ball in the corner pocket, allowing Alcaide — the world No. 16 — to clear the table and advance.

Other Filipino cue artists found mixed fortunes in the round. Roland Garcia ousted German legend Ralf Souquet, 10-6; Anton Raga edged Baseth Mocaibat, 10-8; and Bernie Regalario cruised past Edgie Geronimo, 10-5. However, Johann Chua suffered a shock first-round exit after falling to Yves Cabrito, 10-8.

Meanwhile, Moritz Neuhausen, James Aranas, and Jeffrey De Luna were among the local casualties of the Last 64, bowing out to John Vincent Vicedo (10-4), Jerwin Capili Samia (10-6), and Eric Navarrete (10-9), respectively.

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