Django Bustamante added another feather to his cap after defeating Germany’s Can Salim, 11-9, to capture the 29th Annual Jay Swanson Memorial 9-Ball Championship crown Thursday, Feb. 20, in Las Vegas, USA.

Still playing sharp at age 61, Bustamante flashed his veteran poise and gave Salim a reality check after the latter tied the score at 9-all, winning the next two frames to wrap up their showdown and bag the $2,700 (P156,393) grand prize.

Apart from the cash and trophy, Bustamante also became the seventh player who has Filipino roots to rule the annual competition.

Prior to his triumph, the Asian Games champion earned an early bye before decimating Joseph Crugnale (8-3), Jimmy De Sousa (8-2), Brian Bagay (8-2), and Kashton Keeton (8-4) in the earlier rounds.

Bustamante’s highlight in the two-day long event came when he outlasted Fil-Canadian Alex Pagulayan, 8-6, to secure his spot in the semifinal.

Meanwhile in the Las Vegas 10-Ball Open, Bustamante failed to continue his strong start, yielding to German Ralf Souquet, 4-2, 4-3, while Mark Estiola bowed to Pagulayan, 4-2, 4-2.

Bustamante and Estiola are now relegated to the losers' bracket and are awaiting their next opponent.