ALCANO, BIADO WIN ASIAD 9-BALL ELIMS OPENER

FORMER double world champion (WPA 9-ball and 8-ball champion) Ronato “Volcano” Alcano and Carlo “Cool” Biado scored blowout triumphs to lead the opening round winners in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) Asian Games 9-ball qualification tournament yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila.

The Calamba cue artists Alcano, member of the star-studded Perry Mariano’s Bugsy Promotions edged Bugsy team mate Joven “The Shark” Bustamante, 13-10, to jumpstart his bid for a 9-ball slot in the 16th Asian Games (also known as the XVI Asiad) Cue Sports Competition scheduled on November 12 to 27 in Guangzhou, China.

“Mabuti sinuwerte sa bandang huli. Talagang dikitan ang laban namin ni Joven,” said Alcano, who won the gold medal in the 8-balls competition during the 2009 Laos Southeast Asian Games.

Biado, a rising star from La Union, defeated fellow Bugsy Promotions bet 2007 World Pool Championships Finalist Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, 13-11.

“Maganda yung naging simula medyo umayon sa akin yung bola sa bandang huli kaya sinamantala ko,” said Biado.

Sharing the limelight are Warren“Warrior” Kiamco and Ricky “Bai” Zerna of the rising Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiard Stable.

The Pasil, Cebu native Kiamco, defeated Jeffrey “The Bull” de Luna, 13-5, while Zerna, the pride of Dumaguete City, shocked former world no.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 13-5, to advance into the next round of the knock-out system format.

Tournament director is Ms. Christine “Ish” Caparras of Puyat Sports assisted by national billiards coach Boyet Asonto.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO