Alcano, Bata, Django compete in US 9-Ball

MANILA, Philippines - Ronnie Alcano heads a crack roster of Filipino players vying for top honors in the US Open 9-Ball Championship which fires off Oct. 17 at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Alcano is oozing with confidence after snapping a year-long drought with a victory in the Pattaya 9-ball in Thailand last Sunday and is expected to be among the players to watch in the tournament which features some of the world’s top pool masters.

Also in the fold are Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco” Django” Bustamante, Dennis Orcullo, Roberto Gomez, Lee Vann Corteza and Ramil Gallego.

Alcano is out to end back-to-back runner-up finishes in the annual event.

He lost to Shane Van Boening of the US in 2008 then fell to Mika Immonen of Finland last year.

Other Filipino bets competing in the $40,000 event are Jose Parica, Santos Sambajon, Antonio Lining, Ramon Mistica, Warren Kiamco, Jun Almonte and Al Lapena.