Ronato Alcano expects tough defense of his World Pool title

Reigning World Pool champ Ronato Alcano will start his title defense on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum against Saeed al-Mutawa of the United Arab Emirates. Alcano expects tough competition, particularly if he should happen to face American Shane Van Boening, the "South Dakota Kid" who beat him in the US Open 9-Ball Championships. But he said: "I will be ready for him." As to his other opponents, he said: "Laban lang. Matindi ang mga kalaban pero laro lang." Alcano, a native of Calamba, Laguna, is expected to lead the attack of the Filipinos in the 2007 edition of the World Pool Championship. His fellow Filipino cue masters may prove be his toughest opponents if he should happen to face any of them: • Efren "Bata" Reyes, the 1999 World Pool champ • Alex Pagulayan, the 2004 World Pool champ • Francisco "Django" Bustamante, the 2002 World Pool runner-up to Earl Strickland • Lee Van Corteza , 2007 Guinness 9-Ball Tour runner-up to Jung-Lin Chang • Dennis Orcollo, the 2007 BCA 9-Ball Open champ • Marlon Manalo, the 2005 World 8-Ball Championships runner-up to Bata Reyes • Joven Bustamante, the 2007 World 8-Ball Championships 3rd placer, after Orcollo and champ Alcano • Ramil Gallego, the New England 9-Ball Championship runner-up to Rafael Martinez • Jeffrey de Luna, silver medalist at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, defeated by compatriot Antonio Gabica • Rodolfo Luat, the 1996 World Open 9-Ball champ • Leonardo Andam, the 1995 PBT Dallas Open champ • Antonio Gabica, gold medalist at the 2006 Doha Asian Games • Roberto Gomez, 2007 Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball champ Days before opening of the tournament, the Filipinos and their opponents decided to prepare for the main battle by playing money games. De Luna mentioned this at a press conference on Friday at the Mandarin Oriental Suites inside the Gateway Mall in Araneta Center. In fact, he said he already won P200,000 in those matches. "Hindi ko matandaan ang pangalan nung mga Taiwanese, pero nanalo ako ng P200,000 including P40,000 kay Bebeng Gallego," De Luna said. GMANews.TV also learned that because of the stiff competition, the Taiwanese government offered their contenders in the tournament $500 for every game the would win against any Filipino opponent. The Taiwanese government reportedly also offers incentives – $30,000 for a Taiwanese who bags the title, and $20,000 if he finishes in second place. Reyes, on the other hand, believes that Van Boening is the top favorite to win the tournament. "Malakas sa laban, batak na batak," Reyes said. "Pero sana Filipino pa rin. Kung may mananalo siyempre gusto ko ako yon. Pero puwede na ring ang kumpare kong si Django." - GMANews.TV