FORMER double world champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano toppled youthful Noel "Weng-Weng" Caro in a come from behind victory, 11-9, advance into the Last 16 of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg being held at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City. Alcano, who is seeking his first title in almost two years,romped off to a strong start, posting a four rack lead after the eighth frame. But just as it seemed that the 33-year-old stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions was on his way to an easy victory, a miscue on the ninth rack suddenly turned the tide as Caro took advantage of it
to launch a 4-0 run to tie the game at 6-6.

"Ang hirap talaga ng bilyar, kahit anong laki ng lamang mo hindi ka nakakasiguro hannga't hindi mo napapasok 'yung huling bola. Isang pagkakamali mo lang pwede ka pa ring matalo, kaya hangga't maari hindi ka magkamali," said Alcano.

A seesaw battle then ensued for the succeeding six racks until Alcano leaned on his vast experience of playing in a close contest and capitalized on Caro's lack of it to pocket the next two and clinch the ticket to the next stage of this prestigious event presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports and sponsored by Camella Communities.

"I admit, medyo naging overconfident ako, lalo na nung nakalayo agad ako. Kaya isang aral ito na tatandaan ko at pagbubutihin ko pa ang aking laro para mag-champion dito sa Villar Cup," added Alcano.

THE Philippines suffered double black eye yesterday when Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan and Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo lost their respective semifinal matches finals in the Guinness 9 Ball Tour 2008 Grand Final being held at the the Mal Taman Anggrek in Bali, Indonesia.

Pagulayan bowed to former double world champion Wu Chia-ching, 6-9, in the first semifinals encounter while Orcollo yielded to Yang Ching-shun that led an all Taiwanese-finals.

Despite the setbacks, Pagulayan and Orcollo, both receive $5,400 for reaching the semi-finals of the six-city tour organized of ESPN STAR Sports.

In the 2007 edition, Taiwanese Chang Jung-lin took the crown and top prize $36,000 after beating Filipino Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza in the finals.

27 October 2008, Jakarta, Indonesia – The Philippines' Dennis Orcollo and Alex Pagulayan crashed out of the semifinals after suffering losses against their respective opponents from Chinese Taipei in the Guinness 9 Ball Tour 2008 Grand Final yesterday at the Mal Taman Anggrek.

Pagulayan, who won the Singapore leg, bowed down to 2004 World Pool champion Wu Chia Ching, 6 – 9, while Orcollo, who claimed the title in the Guangzhou leg, fell to Yang Ching Shun, 5 – 9.

The two Filipinos settled for $5,400 each for reaching the semi-finals of the six-city tour organized by ESPN STAR Sports.

In a battle of former World Pool champions, the 30-year old Pagulayan dug himself a hole early in his match as he trailed 1 – 4 following a miss on the seven-ball in the fourth rack. The Filipino – Canadian managed to get within one rack, 3 – 4, but a series of miscues on his part allowed the 19-year old Wu to win four straight racks and be on the hill at 8 – 4.

Pagulayan still kept it close as he moved within two racks, 6 – 8, following Wu's miss on the eight-ball in the 13th rack and a run-out in the 14th.

However, Wu easily ran out the very next rack to claim victory and reach the championship match.

Meanwhile, Orcollo, who is the current WPA world number one, failed to keep the country's hopes alive as he faltered down the stretch against his long-time rival Yang.

Trailing by just one rack, 5 – 6, the Surigao-native's game unraveled in the 12th rack as he missed an easy corner pocket shot on the three-ball. Yang pocketed the remaining balls in the rack then ran out the next rack to stretch his lead to three racks and keep within just one rack of the win.

Gabica remains unbeaten; defending champ Chang ousted

26 October 2008, Jakarta ? Dennis Orcollo and Alex Pagulayan of the Philippines booked their respective seats in the semifinals after they finished in the top two of Group A in the preliminary round of the Guinness 9 Ball Tour 2008 Grand Final yesterday at the Mal Taman Anggrek.

The current WPA world number one was still playing defending Grand Final champion Chang Jung Lin of Chinese Taipei as of press time, but his three wins on Friday, coupled with Pagulayan's wins over Wang Hung Hsiang of Chinese Taipei and Ryu Seung Woo of Korea yesterday, clinched spots in the last four for the two Filipino aces.

Orcollo, who won the previous leg in Guangzhou, China, swept all three of his assignments on Friday. The Surigao native started his campaign with a 9 ? 7 conquest of Pagulayan then followed it up with triumphs over Wang, 9 ? 8, and Ryu, 9 ? 5.

Pagulayan, who ruled the Singapore leg, bounced back from his setback against Orcollo with a relatively easy 9 ? 5 victory over Chang late Friday evening. The 2004 World Pool champion barged into the semi-finals after edging Wang, 9 ? 8, and routing Ryu, 9 - 2. Chang's two losses to Pagulayan and Orcollo eliminated the defending champion.

Eleven players were divided into two groups and players played in a single round robin format. The top two players from each group advanced to the semi-finals with the final two meeting in the final match tomorrow.

24 October 2008, Jakarta – Guangzhou leg winner Dennis Orcollo of the Philippines picked up from where he left off as he dominated the first day of the preliminaries with three victories even as hometown bet Ricky Yang split his two assignments at the start of the Guinness 9 Ball Tour 2008 Grand Final at the jam-packed Mal Taman Anggrek.

Orcollo started the day with a 9 – 7 conquest of fellow Filipino Alex Pagulayan then survived Wang Hung Hsiang of Chinese Taipei, 9 – 8, in Group A. The current WPA number one made it a clean sweep and virtually assured himself an automatic semi-final spot after beating Ryu Seung Woo of Korea, 9 – 5.

Meanwhile, local favorite Yang remained alive for a berth in the semi-finals despite falling to Joven Bustamante of the Philippines, 9 – 8, in the nightcap over in Group B.

The 36-year old Indonesian, who earned a wild card spot in the Grand Final as the country's best player, started the day with an impressive 9 – 4 triumph over Ibrahim Bin Amir of Malaysia. Yang can guarantee himself a place in the last four should he sweep his three matches tomorrow.

One player who is in a precarious position after the first day of competition is defending Grand Final champion Chang Jung Lin of Chinese Taipei. Chang only managed one win in his first three assignments over in Group A.