RP TEAM WINS KABAYAN SMB WORLD 9-BALL; POCKETS $20,000
CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO-THE Kabayan San Miguel Beer (SMB) World 9-Ball Challenge: RP versus Rest of the World was concluded at the Filipiniana Hotel here Tuesday.
Team Philippines composed of last year's WPC winner Ronato Alcano, Marlon Manalo, Gandy Valle, Jeffrey de Luna and Antonio Gabica claimed the title over the World Team (Rest of the World) 31-19, to pocket the top prize of $20,000 in the event that will be aired on Solar Sports on Nov. 27-29 and jointly organized by board member Butch Soller and journalist Noli Sangil Cruz of Mansalay in the first international event in Oriental Mindoro coincides with the province's 57th founding anniversary.
World Team on the other hand whose members headed by Rodney Morris of the United States, Marcus Chamat of Sweden, Karl Boyes, Darren Appleton and Scott Higgins of England received $10,000 in the event made possible by the San Miguel Corporation, PAGCOR and PCSO with the help of the Office of the Vice President Noli De Castro, Governor Arnan Panaligan, vice-governor Estee Aceron, Calapan City Mayor Doy Leachon, Rep. Alfonso P.A. Umali, Rep. Rod "RGV" Valencia, Sporteum Inc. president (ACCEL) Willy Ortiz, Manila Times, Business Mirror, DZSR Sports Radio, Sebastian Chua and Bugsy Promotion and fully sanctioned by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).
World Team began their title quest with a four point lead (5-1) in the early session Monday going to 19-17 after the evening session.
RP team bounced back yesterday when 1998 Asian Games gold medalist Gandy "Yang-Yang" Valle and 2005 World Pool Championships third placer Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo posted contrasting victories over Chamat and Higgins to virtually clinch the title. Valle, who hails from Davao City trounced Chamat, 7-3, while Manalo crushed Higgins, 8-2.
"Sinigurado ko na agad na maganda ang start ko kasi pressure na ang kalaban natin (World Team) kasi lamang na tayo sa iskor," said Valle after the match.
Manalo, meanwhile who posted a 4-0 run before Higgins cut the lead at 4-2 count said "Lahat kami ay nagtulong-tulong (RP team) para manalo at magbigay ng karangalan sa bayan," said Mandaluyong City ace Manalo, who is schedule to carry the country's color's in the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games later this year.
Alcano, the 34-year-old from Calamba City, Laguna nipped Boyes, 9-1, in the last match yesterday afternoon.
"Buti na lamang nakabawi kami sa day 2, krusiyal 'yung panalo nina Gandy (Valle) at Marlon (Manalo) kaya wala ng pressure sa laro ko," said Alcano, one of the seeded players in the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships which begins Nov.14-17 at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City.
POOL SHARKS VIE FOR NEGROS INT'L 9-BALL CROWN TODAY
POOL sharks coming from around the world will be vying for prestige and the coveted crown when the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships gets underway, November 14-17 at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City.
A total pot prize of $61,400 awaits the winner in the event jointly organized by Negros Billiard Stable and Puyat Sports where $20,000 going to the champion. The runner-up gets $10,000 while the losing semi-finalist each received $5,000.
The tournament will feature former World 9-Ball Champions Efren "Bata" Reyes, Ronato Alcano and Alex Pagulayan, competing against some of the world best that includes another World 9-Ball Champions in the likes of Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan, Kunihiko Takahashi of Japan, Mika Immonen of Finland, Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohman of Germany and Johnny Archer of the United States.
Not to be outdone are Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Warren Kiamco, Lee Vann Corteza and Ramil Gallego of the Philippines, Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan, Corey Deuel of the United States and qualifiers Edgar Acaba, Elvis Calasang, Elmer Haya, Leonardo Didal, Naoyuki Oi of Japan and Chung Chien-te of Taiwan.
(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)
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