Alcano, Luat stay on course; Pagulayan exits

Ronnie Alcano and Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat posted contrasting victories to stay in the winners’ bracket heading into the fourth round of the 2006 US Open 9-Ball Championship yesterday at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia, USA.

Alcano proved steadier down the stretch to edge former World Summit of Pool champion Marcus "Napoleon" Chamat of Holland, 11-10, while Luat dominated the middle racks to score an 11-7 victory over Rob Brandenburg.

"Marcus (Chamat) is one of the favorites to win the US Open. Mabuti nalusutan ni Ronnie," said Perry Mariano, manager of Alcano and several other Filipino pool players.

The former AZBilliards Rookie of the Year will next face Joey Testa, an 11-7 winner over Jose "Amang" Parica in the third round. Luat, on the other hand, will next meet Frankie Hernandez.

Lee Van Corteza and Santos Sambajon, the other Filipinos in the winners’ bracket, are set to meet former World Pool Championship winner Mika "The Iceman" Immonen of Finland and American Charles Altomare in the third round, respectively.

The remaining players on the right side of the draw were Tyler Edey, Gabe Owen, Corey Deuel, Johnny Archer, Jerry Slivka, Kuo Po Cheng, John Schmidt, David Broxson, Brian Groce, Rick Howard, CJ Wiley, Shawn Putnam, Earl Strickland, Shane Van Boening, Charlie Bryant, Trevor Braymore, Darren Appleton, Troy Frank, Ryan Mc Cressh, Dana Michaud, Robb Saez and Mike Davis.

The biggest shocker came on the loser’s side as Steve Moore eliminated last year’s champion Alex Pagulayan, 11-9. Pagulayan’s fellow Fil-Canadian Edwin Montal was also booted after a similar 9-11 loss to Pwetrie Makkonen.

The other Filipinos in contention with one chance left were Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, Gandy "Yang-Yang" Valle, Ramon "Maestro Monching" Mistica and Ramil Gallego.

Gabica trounced Sparky Ferrel, 11-5, Valle outplayed Craig Houten, 11-3, Mistica crushed Ron Zampko, 11-1, and Gallego downed Cary Dunn, 11-5.