FRANCISO ‘Django’ Bustamante was in an unusual place when billiards fans saw him during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
He still brings with him his cue stick during the SEA Games. But instead of playing in the billiards table, Bustamante was perched at the stands where he watched the national team compete in their matches and serving as the head coach of the squad in the SEA Games.
“Coach lang ang papel ko. At least, nakakatulong ako sa kanila,” said Bustamante.
Even though he is a coach for this SEA Games, Bustamante, now 55, made it clear that he has not retired and remains active in competitions both here and abroad. For this SEA Games, he failed to make it to the team after he lost in the eliminations the Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines before the biennial meet.
“Naglalaro pa rin ako. Sumali din ako (in the eliminations) kaso natalo kami ni pareng Efren. Nakapasok ‘yung mga bata. Magagaling sila. Sila ‘yung nakapasok, kami hindi nakapasok,” said Bustamante.
Aside from Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, Bustamante is also acknowledged as the other legend in Philippine billiards. Bustamante became a champion in world 9-ball in 2010 in one of many championships he had won in his career.
But like his kumpare, Bustamante admitted age is also catching up on him, forcing him to play in fewer tournaments compared before. ‘Django’ though is making an effort to beat Father time and maintain that powerful break.
“Siyempre, nagkaka-edad na kami. Nag-iiba na mata namin. Iba na ‘yung pulso namin. Kahit papaano, naglalaro pa rin pero hindi na ‘yung mga malalaking tournament,” said Bustamante.
“Okay naman laro ko. Naglalaro pa ako sa international. Pumupunta pa ako sa US, Europe. Okay pa naman tira ko. Actually, malabo na talaga (mata ko). Naka-contact lens na ako. Malaking tulong para sa akin. Maayos pa naman. Kitang kita ko pa,” said Bustamante.
On his break, Bustamante said: “Malakas pa rin. Kahit lumalaki tiyan, malakas pa rin.”
As age is catching up on the two legends of the sport, Bustamante sees a bright future for the Philippines in billiards with the emergence of the likes of Carlo Biado, and women players Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit.
He wishes the best for the next generation of billiards players.
“Marami nang magagaling sa atin. Sana ‘yung mga narating namin ni pareng Efren, marating din nila. Basta tiyaga lang. Wala namang nakukuha sa hindi tiyagaan eh,” said Bustamante.
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