NEWSFLASH

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BUSTAMANTE IS 1998 CAMEL BILLIARDS CHAMPION

Manila, Nov. 25, 1998 - A protege of Filipino sportsmen Jose Puyat and Aristeo Puyat won the $75,000 Columbus 10-ball Open in Ohio Sunday and clinched the 1998 Camel Pro Billiards Series overall championship.

Francisco "Django" Bustamante defeated Nick Varner of the United States, 9-7, in the final of the closing event of the Series in a fitting follow-up to his victory in the Tulsa 9-Ball Open in Oklahoma two weeks ago.

The Germany-based Bustamante engaged the four-time world 9-ball champion in a close, thrilling match at the Columbus Convention Center.

The win, Bustamante's third in the eight-leg series, made him a truly all-around pool champion. His three titles were the Riviera Hotel Pro 8-Ball Open (Las Vegas), Tulsa 9-Ball Open, and Columbus 10-Ball Open.

Bustamante took the $15,000 first prize. Another Puyat player, Rodolfo Luat, placed sixth behind Varner, Dennis Hatch, Mike LeBron and Kim Davenport.

Efren ''Bata'' Reyes lasted for three matches, but finished in fourth place in the overall standings. Reyes won the South Jersey 10-Ball Open and finished high in other tournaments.

The top four in the overall Camel Series standings and their bonuses:

1.Francisco Bustamante --$60,000 2. Dennis Hatch--$30,000 3. Nick Varner--$22,000 4. Efren Reyes--$17,000

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