 Ronnie Alcano will hope to defend his title |
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Three Filipino world champions will banner the country's campaign when the 2007 World Pool Championships is held at Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on November 3 to 11. Over 200 players from over 50 countries will take part in the Raya Sports event in close cooperation with Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).
Ronato Alcano, the reigning WPA 9-ball and 8-ball champion is aiming to defend his title he won last year at the expense of German ace Ralf Souquet in the Manila edition.
Efren "Bata" Reyes, the 1999 Cardiff ruler and Alex Pagulayan, the 2004 Taiwan kingpin also are aiming to duplicate their title they won.
"Magician" won 7-out-of-8 in nine-ball challenge in Guam
The 54-year-old Reyes, top player of RP billiards patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat is just arriving back in the country after a successful exhibition match at the Holiday Resort and Spa Guam against the best 8 Players in Guam. Dubbed as "The Magician" in the world of pool, he defeated 7/8 of the players during the nine-ball challenge in the said U.S. territory.
Aside from the triumvirate, other Pinoy cue masters in the WPC main draw include 2005 WPC semi-finalist Marlon Manalo, reigning National open champion and 39th All Japan winner Lee Vann Corteza, 2006 World Pool League and 2007 Enjoypool.com champion Dennis Orcollo, 2006 Japan Open champion Antonio Lining, 2006 Doha Asian Games silver medalist Jeffrey de Luna and 2006 Asian 9-ball tour champions Ramil Gallego and Rodolfo Luat.
Francisco "Django" Bustamante, the 2002 WPC runner-up has possibly earned slot in this year's WPC according to tournament organizer Yen Makabenta after topping the 2007 UPA Pro Tour last April in Normandie Casino in Los Angeles, California.
Makabenta, who is cited by the Billiard Digest Magazine being "The Man of the Year" because of successful staging in last year's WPC will make an official announcement today (Friday) regarding the details of WPC.
