HIGH HOPES IN FUJAIRAH WORLD 8-BALL; RP TEAM BEGINS CAMPAIGN

LED by former world 9-ball and world 8-ball champion Ronato “Volcano” Alcano and reigning international predator 10-ball champion Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo, the Filipino cue masters begins its campaign in the group stage of Etisalat World 8-Ball Pool Championship 2010 gets under way last night at the Fujairah Tennis Club in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

Alcano, one of the top player of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions is bracketed in Group 1 and will meet Radoslaw Babica of Poland late Monday.

“I’m excited and hope to play best,” said the Calamba hotshot Alcano, who won the World 8-ball title in 2007 but failed to defend his crown losing to Ralf “Kaiser” Souquet of Germany in the finals of 2008 edition.

Souquet, on the other hand lost to Alcano in the finals of World Pool Championships (World 9-ball) in 2007 in Manila.

“I’ve trained hard for this competition.” Added Alcano.

Fellow Bugsy Promotion bet Orcullo, meantime goes up against countryman Oliver Medanilla in Group 4.

“We are ready,” Said the former Bislig, Surigao del Sur fisherman Orcullo, who lost to Alcano in the 2007 edition of World 8-ball finals.

Bugsy Promotion president and Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head Ceferino “Perry” Mariano is very confident that Filipino cue artists will perform well in the 1^st World Championships this year.

“ I believe we have a good chances to win the World 8-ball crown considering our players dominating the international tournament in the past events,” said Perry Mariano.

Raymund Faraon, on the other hand will square off with Lee Chenman of Hongkong in Group 1, former snooker specialist Joven Alba versus local pride Ali Nasih in Group 2; Venancio Tanio opposite Pei Wei Chang of Taiwan in Group 3, 2009 World Ten Ball Finalist Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza versus Majid Sultan in Group 4, power-breaking Jeffrey de Luna versus Mustafa Hassan in Group 5, Kim Aquino versus Andreas Roshkowski of Poland in Group 6, Marlon Manalo versus Basher Hussain in Group 7, Antonio Gabica Versus Mateusz Sniegocki of Poland in Group 8 and little-known Ruben Bautista versus Magid Al Azmi in Group 8.

The top four finishers after the group stage matches will advance in the Last 32, knock-out stage format.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.