In a race to 15 games, with an alternating break, Bustamante pulled out of the gate like a prize racehorse to a 4-0 lead before Reyes could get o­n the scoreboard in the fifth rack. Reyes, having started off cold, nailed four of the next six racks to take a 6-5 lead. A 20 minute intermission was called at this point, and Reyes came back to the table relaxed and ready to play some serious 9 ball. He won nine games of the next twelve racks following that intermission, hitting the hill with the score in his favor at 14-9.

Bustamante had a short rally of three consecutive games before Reyes finished the match at 15-12.Successful three-rail kicks out of what seemed like hopeless safeties were common from both players, and more than o­nce the crowd erupted in cheers and applause at the shot-making abilities and cue ball control of these two masters of the game.

This was the second exhibition match held at PJ’s Billiards. The first featured Karen Corr versus Santos Sambajon Jr. in May 2004. Let’s hope pool fans get to see more of these.  

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