Camille Naredo

Article (news)

WNT Legends

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Filipino pool icons emerged victorious on the first day of the WNT Legends event at the Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview in Quezon City on Wednesday.Francisco &quot;Django&quot; Bustamante kicked off the three-day pool showcase on a high note, getting a hard-earned win over American legend Earl &quot;The Pearl&quot; Strickland, 11-9. Bustamante built an early lead over his foe before Strickland struck back and won three straight racks to level the score at 4-all. The Filipino pool icon got two racks after back-to-back break and run, but &quot;The Pearl&quot; responded to bring it back to square one at 8-all. Bustamante was the first to get the hill at 10-8, ultimately taking the victory by pocketing the nine-ball in the 20th and final rack.&quot;Alam mo nakaka-nerbyos talaga yung ganito eh. Siyempre nung all, pagka-nagkaroon ako ng chance makabalik, sabi ko pipilitin ko manalo. Ayun nangyari naman,&quot; he told reporters after the match.Reyes completed the double victory for the Philippines in the second and final match of the day. &quot;The Magician&quot; showed he&#x27;s still got tricks up his sleeve at his age, overcoming miscues to beat German pool icon Ralf &quot;The Kaiser&quot; Souquet, 11-8. Just like his compatriot, Reyes got the early 2-0 cushion over Souquet until it became a seesaw battle between the two legends. The icons and fans were equally on edge during Rack 14, when Reyes and Souquet both missed twice before the Filipino pool icon did his magic to get the 8-6 lead.Souquet tried to claw back in the endgame, but Reyes won three straight racks to put him away for good.&quot;Itong mga nakalaban ko magaling din ito eh, nakalaban ko na dati. Kaya lang sinwerte ako ngayon. Walang pumapasok sa break eh. Una siyang nag-break pero walang nahulog, kaya nauna ako,&quot; Reyes said after his match.Both Filipino pool icons thanked the Filipino crowd in attendance for their support.As for Souquet, he admitted he did not play his best game against Reyes, citing his multiple errors and missing the nine-ball despite good positions.&quot;I did not bring my A game today. I had obviously higher expectations because I have a pretty good record against Efren in the past. But obviously, that does not guarantee you a win all the time,&quot; he said.&quot;I&#x27;m not looking for excuses, I just did not bring my best game to the table... Overall, Efren deserved to win because I did not perform as good as I should have done,&quot; Souquet added.Bustamante will next face Souquet, while his compatriot Reyes will battle his former rival Strickland.WNT Legends will run until January 23 at the same venue in Quezon City.

Filipino pool icons emerged victorious on the first day of the WNT Legends event at the Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Filipino pool icons emerged victorious on the first day of the WNT Legends event at the Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Pinoy billiards icons triumphant over foes in WNT Legends opener

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Pinoy billiards icons triumphant over foes in WNT Legends opener

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 21, 2026 10:31 PM PHT

Read More:

Billiards

Efren "Bata" Reyes

Francisco "Django" Bustamante

WNT Legends

abssports

Earl Strickland

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