QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES---FORMER AZ BILLIARDS rookie of the year Ronnie "Calamba" Alcano topped the third episode of the Taco-Cue Masters Showdown Wednesday night here at the Studio 6 of NBN-4 in QC.
The pride of Calamba, Laguna won his last seven matches to be the first to score nine ponts in the made-for-TV ring game event.
Alcano clinched the title and the P30,000 top prize by beating Mario "Aklan" Tolentino.
"I am just lucky," said the Asian 9-ball tour winner Alcano, whose campaign is supported by businessman Perry Mariano.
The race-to-nine round-robin tournament is organized by Star Interactive Inc. headed by Ramon Recto and NBN-4. The matches are aired live on the co-organizing television network on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11:30 p.m.
Supporting the event are the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Brunswick, ACCEL, PAGCOR and Cristine Catering Services.
Also falling prey to Alcano during his title-clinching run were 2005 Asian 9-Ball Singapore leg winner Gandy Valle, Victor Arpilleda, Jeffrey "Jeff Bata" de Luna, Godofredo "Boy" Ducanes, Jerome Pena and Allan Soliman.
On his first turn, Alcano defeated stablemates Dennis "Surigao" Orcollo, the second episode champ, and Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, the inaugural winner.
Valle finished second with four points and bagged P20,000 while Tolenino booked another podium finish with three points for P10,000. (MARLON BERNARDINO)
