Saturday, March 10, 2007 Alcano triumphs By Mike Limpag Sun.Star Staff Reporter
RONATO Alcano annexed his second world title after beating compatriot and roommate Dennis Orcullo, 11-8, in yesterday’s World 8-Ball Championships finals in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
Alcano, who shared a hotel room with Orcullo in the event, pocketed the $25,000 top prize while the runner-up settled for $12,000.
The win puts Alcano in the company of Wu Chia Ching and his idol Efren “Bata” Reyes as the winners of both the World 9-ball and 8-ball titles.
Reyes accomplished his feat in 1999 and 2004, while Wu did it in 2005.
Alcano, who had his teeth extracted to emulate the teethless Reyes, won his 9-Ball crown in Manila last November.
Yesterday’s duel between Orcullo and Alcano, who are both winners of the Sun.Star Superbalita 9-ball, was the second all-Filipino 8-ball finals.
In 2004, Reyes faced Marlon Manalo in the championship.
According to a report from Azbilliards.com, neither player did anything wrong in yesterday’s finals and both of them cheered each other’s shot on the eight ball.
Alcano raced to a 7-2 lead after Orcullo’s break began to fail him. However, the Surigao-born cue master, who annexed the World Pool League title last year, got his rhythm back to close the gap at two racks, 7-5.
Still, the alternate break format proved too tough to erase the gap as the two exchanged break and runs for an 8-6 scoreline, with still no missed call shot.
In the 15th rack, Alcano string of good luck finally ended after he missed his position on his going from his final shot to the eight ball. Alcano was forced to masse the ball but he the eight did not drop.
Orcullo got his chance and narrowed the lead to 8-7 but another dry break gave Alcano the chance to stretch the lead to 9-7.
