Alcano moves to Last 16

BACOLOD CITY –Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano recovered his touch in a gripping contest to gain an 11-9 win over unheralded Noel Caro and advance to the Last 16 of the Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex here yesterday.

Alcano, who is seeking his first title in almost two years, romped off to a strong start, posting a four-rack lead but a miscue on the ninth rack opened the door for a Caro comeback that tied the count at 6-6.

But Alcano leaned on his vast experience to foil Caro and clinch a ticket to the next stage of the event.

The win sent him to the second round against veteran internationalist Rodolfo Luat, who beat reigning world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 11-7, in their opening round encounter.

In other first round results, it was Francisco “Django” Bustamante over lone female entry Rubilen Amit, 11-3; Cebu leg champion Gandy Valle over Alabang leg titlist Warren Kiamco, 11-7; Lee Van Corteza over Chinese Wang Ming, 11-9; Michael Feliciano over Japanese Kenichi Uchigaki, 11-7; John Rebong over Carlo Biado, 11-7; and Ronnie Aying over Janno Mazon, 11-6.