HANOI – Francisco ‘Django’ Bustamante admitted the chances of Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes bagging a gold in the 31st Southeast Asian Games are slim as he faces top-class carom players in his events.
Reyes is entered in the one-cushion where he is in the semifinals against Tran Thanh Tu Nguyen on Wednesday, 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Philippine time) at the Ha Dong Gymnasium.
See 'Bata' tempers gold medal expectations in carom. Here's why
Reyes is assured of at least a bronze and looks to get a medal upgrade in the semis, but Bustamante noted that on paper, the former world pool champion is a huge underdog.
“Si Pareng Efren, kapag nag-gold ‘yan, himala,” said Bustamante, who is the head coach of the national team. “Kasi ang makakalaban niya, Vietnamese. Ang Vietnam ang pinakamagaling dito sa buong Asia sa karambola. Ilan ang champion nila dito.”
Efren 'Bata' Reyes, 67, is determined to deliver anew for the country.
Although the odds are against Reyes, Bustamante hopes that the billiards legend still has something up his sleeve as he goes up against Tran.
“Hindi natin masabi, malay mo magmilagro. Gumanda tira ni Pareng Efren,” said Bustamante.
Reyes will also play in the three-cushion singles which will be played on Friday.
Billiards and snooker already has a gold in Rubilen Amit in the women’s 9-ball with Carlo Biado and Johann Chua battling for the title in the men’s 9-ball at 10 a.m. (11 a.m. Philippine time)
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