Friday, November 17, 2006

He Plays Pool To Become Millionaire

"Magbabago ba ang buhay mo? (Will your lifestyle change?) Anthony Suntay asked Ronato "Ronie" Alcano after his winning the crown in the World Pool Championship last week. Alcano replied: "magbabago" (it will change).
The 34 year old Alcano from Calamba, Laguna outplayed his opponent, Ralf Souquet (17-11) of Germany who shed tears just after losing the match.
Alcano was the last player to qualify in the 64 – man knockout phase after winning only one of the three qualifying matches.
Before he reached the final, Alcano demolished Efren "Bata" Reyes (10–7), defeated the 2005 runner-up Kuo Po-Cheng of Chinese Taipe (11 – 5) in the Last 16. Alcano knocked off the 2005 champion, Wu Chia-Ching of Taiwan (11–6) in the quarterfinals. He routed China’s Li He Wen (11-8) in the semi-final round.
Souquet was the 1996 champion. He wished to repeat his 1996 victory this year. Alcano blocked his way.
Alcano led Souquet, 37 years old in the first three racks (3–0) and then (11– 5) in the finals. The game could have ended at (17–10) but Alcano missed the ninth ball in rack 27 which Souquet got at (16–11). It was Alcano who broke the 28th rack which went to him with a 1–9 combination.
The 8–day nine-ball World Pool Championship games made a Filipino billiard a millionaire. His P5 million prize, aside from the trophy, has changed his lifestye. First, Alcano will buy a van and then house and lot for his family. Alcano cannot speak English that Anthony Suntay acted as his interpreter during the interview. This simply means English is not necessary to become a champion.
Some 128 billiard players from 43 countries participated in the tournament, 21 of them were Filipinos, of the 21, eleven reached the Last 16, and three reached the quarter finals. Ronie Alcano got it to become the 2006 World Pool Sensation. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

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