DEFENDING Champion and the Philippine No.1 rotation player Ronato "Volcano" Alcano got off to a great start yesterday in the 2008 World 8-Ball Championships before a huge crowd of pool fans at the Expo Center Fujairah in Fujairah City, United Arab Emirates
The lanky cue artists from Calamba, Laguna, who also won the 2006 WPA World 9-Ball Championships in Manila and place second in the 2007 US Open 9-Ball Championships in Chesapeake, Virginia didn't waste time after a blazing start of 6-0 run in the race-to-8, alternate break format to beat unheralded Carlos Talavera from Guatamela, 8-1, in Group A.
Talavera's only rack came in the 7th, before Alcano ended the game at 8-1.
AZbilliards boss Mike Howerton who is in Fujairah said to this writer in an email yesterday before the match, "The first round of matches are just starting now. The only Pinoy match taking place in the first round is Alcano vs Carlos Talavera from Guatamela. I don't see that being much of a problem for Ronnie to win. He actually has a pretty easy run into the final sixteen. There will also be a 3pm round and Elvis Calasang will place Seung Wo Ryu from Korea. That is all we have for Pinoy matches today (last night)."
Elvis Calasang is in Group B still engage battles as of presstime with Rye Seoung Woo of Korea.
Meanwhile, the Filipinos were greatly spread, and there's a great chance that it could be another All-Filipino finals like last year. Thanks to a lucky draw for the ten Filipino qualifiers.
The 2008 World 8-Ball Championships got underway last night in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates and the 64 players were split up into 8 different groups. The format is the same as the last World 9-Ball Championships that was held here in Manila last year. Four players will advance into the Round of 32 from each group. Two (2) straight wins and you're in to the next stage, and 2 will come from the losers' side.
Alcano, beat compatriot Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, 11-8, in the finals last year.
The petite Orcollo from Bislig, Surigao del Sur is aiming for a world title-shot as he takes on Mohammed Al Hosani of UAE in Group H, the same bracket of countryman Israel "Amay" Rota of Cebu, who goes up against Mark Gray of England.
Roberto "Superman" Gomez, the 2007 WPA World Pool Finalist is in Group D. He takes on Craig Bower of England while Antonio "Gaga" Gabica is in Group E and will test the mettle of Chris Melling of England.
Jeffrey "The Bull" De Luna, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco and Alan "Surigao" Cuartero are all bunched up in Group F and will square off with Ralf Souquet of Germany, Amine Quahbi of Morocco and Ibrahim Bin Amir of Malaysia, respectively.
Joven "The Shark" Bustamante is considered to be in the toughest group, Group G. He faces Marcus Chamat of Sweden.
Meanwhile, Brunei's Crown Prince Muhtadee Billah is in Group B against Marcus Western of Germany while lone female Jasmin Ouschan of Austria is in Group C and meets Saleem Al Juneebi of UAE.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
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