Ronnie Alcano to defend last world crown in hand

April 2, 2008

Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano will defend the only world tiara left in his hands as he competes in the 2008 World 8-Ball Championship slated on April 18 to 25 at the Amir Billiards Club in Fujairah City, United Arab Emirates.

“I will try my best to keep this World 8-ball title. I know it’s going to be a very tough task, but I’ve been preparing hard for this,” said the 35-year-old stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions, who last year became only the second cue artist to reign in the World 8-Ball and World 9-ball at the same time after Taiwanese Wu Chia-ching in 2005.

If he succeeds, Alcano, who lost the 9-Ball plum to England’s Daryl Peach last November, will be the first player to successfully retain a world crown since American Earl Strickland won the first two editions of the World 9-Ball Championship in 1990 and 1991.

Alcano will be joined by stablemate and current world No.1 Dennis Orcollo in leading the Philippines’ charge in this eight-day event that will gather 64 of the world best cue artists.

“I will do my best to win this World 8-ball so I could finally become a world champion,” said Orcollo, who was last year’s runner-up. He will be coming off back-to-back title conquest of the San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship and the Japan 9-Ball Open.

Fellow Bugsy boys and members of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) in 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle and rising star Joven Bustamante will try to join Alcano and Orcollo in the main draw as they will compete in the qualifying tournaments from April 12 to 16.

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