EFREN "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante showed vintage form as they opened the WNT Legends with victories at Gateway Mall 2 in Cubao on Wednesday.
Reyes held off Ralf "The Kaiser" Souquet of Germany, 11-8, while Bustamante outlasted Earl "The Pearl" Strickland, 11-9, to open this three-day nine-ball showcase.
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So much drama was drawn in Rack 14 as Reyes and Souquet both missed twice on the 9. But the German cueist left an open shot on the clincher allowing Reyes to take the 8-6 lead.
"The Magician" then drilled an impressive two-rail kick on the 2 to the side pocket before cleaning up the table in Rack 19 for the clincher.
On the other hand, Bustamante figured in a nip-and-tuck battle against Strickland, but the loud American's miss on the 2-ball in Rack 18 allowed "Django" to get to the hill.
Bustamante then shot an impressive kick on the 1 to the side in the following rack before closing the match out with a 4-9 combo to silence Strickland for good.
Action continues on Thursday, with Bustamante and Souquet facing off with Bustamante before Reyes and Strickland renew their rivalry.
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