MANILA, Philippines - Ronnie Alcano turned back Lee Van Corteza, 11-7, in an all-Filipino final to pocket the Sangsom Pattaya 9-ball Invitational pool crown at the Royal Garden Plaza in Pattaya, Thailand last Sunday.
The former double world champion (8-ball and 9-ball) dominated Corteza early, taking the first four racks but the latter fought back to draw level at 7.
Corteza, however, made a scratch in the 15th frame, enabling Alcano to clean up the rack and sweep the next three racks to clinch the victory.
“Winning a tournament wherein you have to compete against some of the world’s best players is a very big accomplishment and I’m very happy for this win,” said Alcano.
It was Alcano’s first major win since winning the 8-ball crown in the Galveston Classic Billiards Extravaganza in Texas last year.
On their road to the finals, Alcano beat Dennis Orcullo, 10-3, while Corteza outclassed Liu Hui Chang of Chinese-Taipei, 10-4.