INQUIRER Sports

THE Philippine Team returned to action late Tuesday (Manila Time) against ?giant killer? Czech Republic, hoping to nail its second straight win in the second round of the first-ever World Team Cup being held at the Hall 13 Hanover Exhibition Grounds in Hanover, Germany.

The Nationals, composed of WPA 9-ball and 8-ball champion Ronato ?Volcano? Alcano, Japan based Antonio ?Nickoy? Lining, former world No.1 Dennis ?Robocop? Orcullo, two-time BSCP National Pool Championships ruler Lee Vann ?The Slayer? Corteza, ex-snooker specialist Marlon ?Marvelous? Manalo and Villar Cup champion Warren ?Warrior? Kiamco, blasted Great Britain II, 4-0, in the first round.

Alcano beat Michael Valentine, 8-6, and Lining crushed Chris Melling, 8-4, in the 9-ball event while in the 8-ball Scotch double, the pair of Alcano and Manalo drubbed the English duo, 6-5 while the tandem of Corteza and Kiamco prevailed, 6-4.

Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) Chairman Florentino ?Yen? Makabenta said that the remaining two 10-ball matches ? the third and last discipline featured in this prestigious event ? were no longer played since the Filipinos have already chalked an unreachable four wins.

The 48-nation tournament dangles a total purse of $400,000 (P19.2 million) with $100,000 going to the top team finisher.

?They have one good player, Roman Hybler. But don?t underestimate them. Baka masilat tayo,? Makabenta said of the Czech team which advanced to the next round after downing Korea, 4-3.

If the Nationals beat the Czech Republic, they will advance to the Last 16 single elimination round while the loser will drop to the losers? bracket.

Also cruising to the next stage were Croatia, Poland, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Great Britain I, Germany, Greece, Slovakia, China, Switzerland, Denmark, Morocco and the United States. Correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO