 Ronnie Alcano |
REIGNING World Pool Champion Ronato “Volcano” Alcano opened his Super Cup crown with a come from behind victory against 2006 IPT World 8-ball runner-up Rodney “Rocket” Morris of the USA (7-4) and followed a devastating wins against 2005 Challenge of Champions ruler Thomas “The Lean Machine” Engert of Germany (7-2) in Day 1 of 2006 Power-In Super Cup in Taipei, Taiwan.
If Alcano, playing from Bugsy promotion over-powered Engert, his match against Morris is not easy. In fact the Americans took the first three racks to get the upper hand, but the 34-year-old lanky cue artist from Calamba City managed to clustered six straight racks to escaped a 7-4 triumph against Morris in this raced to 7, winner break format where the Top 4 in each group enter knock out stage.
According to Onthehill-asia website, Alcano didn't use his soft-break, his new invented system that leads him to be a newest world champion by outpointing Ralf “Kaiser” Souquet of Germany (17-11) in the finals, but display the so called “power-break”due to the table no longer has sure wing ball.
Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernesto “Ernie” Fajardo elated Alcano's good start showing. “ Hope he can maintain his momentum. If Ronnie (Alcano) luckily wins Super Cup it will be a great news in the Christmas day for our county.”
“ I know that the Super Cup in Taiwan is a very tough event. However, i prepared so much this event and I hope will win for country's honor.” said Alcano with this writer during the Christmas party hosted by Perry and Verna Mariano of Bugsy promotion late Wednesday where no less than Quezon City Majority Floor leader and 4th district Councilor Ariel Inton is one of the guest in the said affair.
Souquet, on the other hand, won his first three matches against 2004 WPC ruler Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan (7-5), Filipino pool legend Jose “Amang” Parica (7-3) and defending champion and former two-time Asian games champion Yang-Ching Shun in a cliff-hanging victory(7-6).
With the hill-hill match, Yang on the way for his first win in his first match delivered an empty break in the 14th frame allowing Souquet to clean up the table.
It shall be recalled, last year, the 27-year-old Yang from Kaoshiung City pocketed the top prize worth US$20,000 by edging compatriot 2004 WPC runner-up Chang Pe-Wei (11-8) in the finals held in Core Pacific Mall in Taipei.
Souquet is so blessed yesterday, because Pagulayan up by one rack but failed to sank an easy shot for the No.8 ball in the 10th frame as the latter's miss the golden opportunity to take a 6-4 commanding lead.
Morris suffered his second straight loses against 2005 WPC kingpin Wu Chia Ching of Taiwan (4-7) while Engert yielded to Chang, Jung Lin of Taiwan (7-2) in the opening round. Chang also had undefeated 2-0 win-loss card when he edges former world champ Chao, Fong Pang also from the host country in the next match in another nerve-wracking 7-6 victory. Chang pocketed the No.4 ball in the breaks and run-out to sealed the win.
Meanwhile, Pagulayan bounced back in contention by crushing Lee Kun Fang of Taiwan (7-3) even Parica stay alive nipping UK's sensation Raj Hundal (7-4). Hundal is the tormentor of Fu Chi Wei of Taiwan (7-4) in the first round.
Group A:
Yang, Ching Shun (Taiwan), Fu Chi Wei (Taiwan), Lee, Kun Fang (Taiwan), Ralf Souquet (Germany), Raj Hundal (UK), Alex Pagulayan (RP), Jose Parica (RP)
Group B:
Wu, Chia Ching (Taiwan), Chao, Fong Pang (Taiwan), Chang, Jung Lin (Taiwan), Thomas Engert, (Germany), Rodney Morris (USA); Ronato Alcano (RP), Hijikato Hayato (Japan)
Raced to 7, winner break. Top 4 in each group enter knock out stage
