FILIPINO BILLIARDS TOP U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Manila, Oct. 14, 1997 - The local billiards circuit celebrated today the victory of Pinoy champion Francisco Bustamante in the third leg of the Camel Pro Billiards Series in Nashville, Tennessee. The game, held last Sunday, gave Bustamante $10,000 for defeating Germany's No. 1 player Ralph Soquet.

Bustamante, who's based in Germany, is a member of the AMF-Puyat team which also copped the fourth and fifth positions in the finals. For those victories, 4th placer Warren Kiamco received $3,200 while Rodolfo Luat got $2,500.

Filipino billiards star Efren "Bata" Reyes, though in 32nd place in the leg, remained in the top position for the Pro-Billiards Tour Championship and a lion's share of the $250,000 fund to be distributed as bonuses to the players on awards night, December 7, in Denver.

The Camel Series awards points for winning and placing in each of the seven tournaments, with the highest pointer at the end of the Series to be proclaimed world 9-ball champion.