Pagulayan, Alcano open bid in 9-ball

Former world 9-ball champion Alex Pagulayan opens defense of his crown against unheralded Rolando dela Cruz, while reigning world 8-ball and 9-ball titlist Ronnie Alcano takes on unfancied Euel Esquillo at the start of the second Philippine 9-ball Open at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium today.

Pagulayan takes center stage at 5 p.m. while Alcano gets to see action at 7 p.m. with both players expected to provide excitement and interest to the event in the absence of crowd favorites Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante, who opted to skip the six-day tournament owing to previous commitments abroad.

"I hope I’ll win it this year," said Alcano, who lost to Jeffrey de Luna for third place last year, in Filipino.

In other featured matches, last year’s runner-up Gandy Valle battles Jech Jech Lemen while de Luna collides with Geronimo Rodrigo.

Other notable players vying for the top purse of P500,000 are 2006 Asian Games 9-ball gold medal winner Antonio Gabica, Antonio Lining, Lee Van Corteza, Ramil Gallego, Dennis Orcollo, Rodolfo Luat, Leonardo Andam, Warren Kiamco and Marlon Manalo.

Gabica is pitted against Jerry Palayo while Lining, Corteza, Gallego, Orcollo, Luat, Andam, Kiamco and Manalo take on Johann Choa, Richard Pornelosa, Michael Feliciano, Allan Soliman, Manalo Tanasas, Daniel dela Rosa, Renemar David and Jimmy Cheng, respectively.

Fast-rising Roberto Gomez, 28, is one of the tournament’s dark horses after a creditable performance in the last world pool tilt where he shocked American Corey Deuel and a victory in the Scandinivian Open in Norway early this year.

"I’m a little nervous but I’m also excited because I know I’ll have a better chance this time than last year because now I’m confident," said Gomez, who is paired with Dondon Rasalan.

A women’s 9-ball event, headed by national team mainstays Rubilen Amit, Mary Grace Basa and Iris Ranola, will also be held simultaneously at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with the champion getting the P200,000 purse. – Joey Villar