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REIGNING
champion Ronnie Alcano recovered from three racks down
to nip Liu Haitao of China, 3-2, for his second straight
and a spot in the next stage of the 2008 World 8-Ball
Championship at the Amir Billiards Club in
Fujairah City,
United Arab Emirates.
After
his 8-1 trouncing of Guatemalan Carlos Talavera in the
opening round, Alcano had a hard time against Liu, his
cold start enabling the Chinese to race to a 5-2 lead.
But the
35-year-old stalwart of Bugsy Promotions and member of
the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the
Philippines (BMPAP) summoned the power that made him a
former double world champion to avert what could be the
biggest upset in the eight-day tournament.
“He
[Liu] is very tough that I needed to play my best to
beat him,” said Alcano, who was the first player in the
knockout stage round of 32.
“I’m
glad I’ve already past the Group Stage and I’ve got my
game tested. It’s still a long way to go and I’m taking
it one game at a time,” added the pride of Calamba City,
who is seeking to become the first cue artist in 17
years to successfully defend a world title.
Fellow
Bugsy boys Dennis Orcollo and Roberto Gomez, meanwhile,
opened their bids on bright notes, posting similar 8-4
wins over local bet Muhammed al-Hosani and South
Africa’s Craig Bouwer, respectively.
“I
didn’t play my best game, but it’s a good start, and I’m
confident that my game will improve as we go on. I’m so
determined to win this tournament and finally become a
world champion,” said Orcollo, who was to play the
winner of the first-round match between compatriot
Israel Rota and Englishman Mark Gray late Sunday.
Gomez, a
runner-up in the 2007 World Pool 9-ball Championship,
was slated to face reigning World 10-Ball titlist Shane
van Boening of the United States. Van Boening won his
opening match against
Iran’s
Kaven Zarakani, 8-2.
Another
BMPAP bet, veteran internationalist Warren Kiamco of the
Negros Billiards Stable of Jonathan Sy, also won his
first match against Amine Quabi of Mauritius, 8-2. He
will next face countryman Jeff de Luna, who beat former
world champion Ralf Souquet of Germany, 8-5.
Joven
Bustamante, however, lost to Sweden’s Marcus Chamat,
8-5, dropping him to the one-loss side where he must win
two straight, including his next match against England’s
Darren Appleton, to make it to the Last 32.
Antonio
Gabica defeated Chris Melling of England, 8-2, while
another Filipino Alan Cuartero lost to Malaysian Ibrahim
bin Amir, 8-4.
Japanese
Naoyuki Oi scored the biggest upset so far when he
upended reigning World 9-Ball king Darryl Peach of
England, 8-5. Lone female entry Jasmin Ouschan of
Austria
subdued Saleem al-Junnebi of UAE, 8-5. |
