The Wait: Over

     I'm not bitter about how the "World Cup fever," encouraged pretenders to claim how obsessed they are about football.  I will be bitter, however, if Filipino sports fans miss one of Philippine sports' most touching moments because of a World Cup we aren't even participating in.  That's why I'm doing my part to make people notice.

     Filipino pool ace Francisco "Django" Bustamante was recently crowned the 2010 WPA World 9 Ball Champion.  The man with one of the most powerful breaks in the game finally got the title that eluded him for so long, beating Taiwanese star "The Little Monster," Kuo Po Cheng, 13-7 in the final match.  Bustamante, who defeated fellow Pinoy  Antonio "Nickoy" Lining in the semi-finals, called the World 9 Ball victory as the one that, "completed" his illustrious career.


     While another Filipino winning the WPA World Title (a total of four have now) may seem special but not extraordinary,  Bustamante's affair with this title goes way beyond career dominance.  


     Back in the 2002 edition in Cardiff, Wales, in the midst of a promising run to the title, Django received a distressed call from his wife, who told him that their 7 month old daughter, Marielle had passed away.  Like any father would, Bustamante started to prepare for his journey home, but his wife convinced him to stay on and fight, as their daughter would have probably wanted.  Summoning great resolve I never thought he had, Bustamante played on and dominated further, going on a searing run to the finals against American Earl Strickland.  The story of courage seemed to be a story of fate as well, as Bustamante played extremely well after that phone call, even leading 15-13 in the finals.  Alas, the story book ending everyone, save for Strickland, wanted never came to pass as Django lost to Strickland, 15-17 after a costly scratch in the 29th game.


     A loss like that would have sent lesser men into oblivion, but Bustamante held his head high right after the loss, claiming his time, "is yet to come."  His exceptional courage and toughness then was a tremendous testament to the indomitable Filipino spirit and it left the international world in awe.  This week's victory is certainly a just reward and the way he won the championship, with a "Golden Break (pocketing the 9 ball in the break)," in the final game, is just too poetic even for a novel.

     The greatest of sports moments are always the victorious stories of athletes who've overcome adversity to reign in their sport.  I know of no greater adversity than losing one's daughter while doing battle in a foreign land.  This is why I shed a tear for Django's victory.  


     While there is virtually no chance that Bustamante would visit my blog, let me just say this. At last, idol.  Despite my verbosity, I cannot find the right words to tell you how incredibly proud and happy I am for you.  Let the real football fans cheer for their favorite teams in the World Cup. My vuvuzuela and I will spend this week cheering for you.  


pictures courtesy of mysportsforums.net, insidesports.ph, bill-walker.jp