Dennis Gaviola

Earl Strickland reigns supreme in inaugural WNT Legends

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769168458914G_VULoCbAAUMezh.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Photo from Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News </div>MANILA – American pool legend Earl &quot;The Pearl&quot; Strickland reigned supreme in the inaugural WNT Legends event after defeating Filipino icon Francisco &quot;Django&quot; Bustamante on Friday in Quezon City.Strickland was crowned champion of the three-day pool showcase, following a dominant 11-6 victory over Bustamante in the final held in Gateway Mall 2.The American pool legend started off strong, building a 4-0 lead over the hometown hero who bounced back in the fifth rack.Bustamante dug deep and showed the resilient Filipino spirit to level the match at 5-5.Django struck back one last time to put himself within one 7-6, but Strickland won the last four racks to clinch the WNT Legends crown.&quot;I didn’t think I won in bingo or anything but we’re still legend players and it feels like I still accomplished something beating my own rival,&quot; Strickland told reporters.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/1/21/pinoy-billiards-icons-triumphant-over-foes-in-wnt-legends-opener-2231">READ: Pinoy billiards icons triumphant over foes in WNT Legends opener</a></div>&quot;My game was strong, I was playing well. I still can’t break, I still couldn’t match his break. If he would have played well, he would have won the match. His ball pocket wasn’t there and mine was, That’s what won me the match, the ability to get out every time I got a shot,&quot; he added.The American pool icon was glad to tally another win over Bustamante in his home turf.&quot;I was thinking how many times I’d beaten him. Maybe five or six. He has beaten me, maybe 30 times. I beat him in the world tournament, I got him for that one that was a good win. But, he’s a phenomenal player, way underrated, but I know how good he is because no one has beaten me the way he has beaten me,&quot; Strickland said.&quot;It seemed like when he would get long and tough, he was in trouble. And it shows. It seemed that he couldn’t hit a couple of shots I think he shouldn’t miss but the nerves play a role,&quot; he added.&quot;The Pearl&quot; was grateful thankful for the &quot;rockstar&quot; treatment he got from the Filipino crowd, who cheered him on as he lifted the WNT Legends title.Bustamante cherished the opportunity to play and see his fellow legends again, despite the tough loss against Strickland.&quot;Napakaganda naman kasi nagkita-kita ulit kami kaya lang ang hindi maganda ay yung tira ko sa finals. Ang sama. Iba na ang pakiramdam pag nagkaka-edad na. Kaya lang, walang magagawa. Ganoon talaga. Hindi na katulad ng dati,&quot; he said.&quot;Anyway, nag-second place pa rin ako, maraming salamat sa lahat at nagpunta sila dito. Masaya ang mga kababayan natin. God bless sa kanila. Salamat sa suporta,&quot; Bustamante added.<div> </div><div>THE KAISER GETS REVENGE</div>In the battle for third, Ralf &quot;The Kaiser&quot; Souquet got his revenge on Efren &quot;Bata&quot; Reyes with an 11-9 victory, after losing in the opening day match.The German pool legend had the early 4-2 advantage over &quot;The Magician&quot; until the Filipino icon clawed back to cut the lead to 7-6.In Rack 17, Reyes did not allow Souquet to get on the hill, capitalizing on his miss on the 3 ball to get back in the game, 9-8.Reyes then hit the 1-9 combo in the following rack to level the score to 9-9.In Rack 20, the Filipino pool icon committed a foul after failing to hit the ball on time.Souquet then took advantage and sweeped the next two racks to seal the win.&quot;The Kaiser&quot; described getting the victory over &quot;The Magician&quot; as bittersweet.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/1/22/pinoy-billiards-icons-relish-competing-with-fellow-legends-on-home-soil-1216">READ: Pinoy billiards icons relish competing with fellow legends on home soil</a></div>&quot;I&#x27;m happy that I won the match. I lost on day one and I won today. Again, I didn’t perform the way I wanted to. I know we both can play better. It was just a bit sad in the end to win on a time foul,&quot; he said.For Reyes, he&#x27;s still thankful for the support from Filipinos despite running out of luck.&quot;Wala akong swerte dito ngayon. Biro mo yung mga break ko walang hulog. Kung may hulog, may takip din. Kaya kung sino swerte dito, yun din ang mananalo eh,&quot; Reyes said after the match.&quot;Nakahabol ako kasi sumasablay din siya eh nitong huli. Maganda rin naman ang tira ko, okay naman. Kaya lang sa break, kapag wala akang break, mahirap manalo,&quot; he added.Matchroom Pool CEO Emily Frazer is grateful for the support from Filipinos in the inaugural event, as well as the participation of the four pool legends.While there&#x27;s no prize pot for the showcase, Frazer said each legend received a cash guarantee from Puyat Sports President Aristotle &quot;Putch&quot; Puyat for their participation.Frazer likewise hinted at the possibility of another WNT Legends event in the future.

American pool legend Earl "The Pearl" Strickland reigned supreme in the inaugural WNT Legends event after defeating Filipino icon Francisco "Django" Bustamante on Friday in Quezon City.

American pool legend Earl "The Pearl" Strickland reigned supreme in the inaugural WNT Legends event after defeating Filipino icon Francisco "Django" Bustamante on Friday in Quezon City.