Chang repels Alcano; Asia leads PH, 4-3

TAIWANESE Chang Yu-long proved steadier in the clutch as he downed Filipino Ronnie Alcano, 9-7, Saturday night to give Team Asia a 4-3 lead over the Philippines in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face-Off series at the Airport Pagcor Casino in Parañaque.

Chang allowed Alcano to equalize at 7-7, then took the next two racks to capture the winner’s purse of $5,000.

Alcano, the former 8-ball and 9-ball world champion, settled for $2,500 in the winner’s-break format of the event organized by Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp and aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34.

Chang stormed to a 5-2 advantage by winning three straight racks before Alcano fought back to cut the lead to 5-4.

However, Chang regained his bearing to go up, 7-5, in the duel aired through live streaming at www.megasportsworld.com and www.philippinebigtimebilliards.com.

“Luck played a big part in my victory,” said Chang through an interpreter.

Francisco “Django” Bustamante toppled Taiwanese Yang Ching-shun, 9-3, two weeks ago as Team Philippines tied Team Asia, 3-3.

Other earlier results saw Ko Pin-yi of Chinese-Taipei down pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-4, on Feb. 18 and Bustamante rally to beat Ko, 9-7, on Feb. 25.

Chang Jung-lin of Chinese-Taipei beat Lee Vann Corteza, 9-7, on March 3, then edged Dennis Orollo, 9-8, on March 10. Carlo Biado routed Yang, 9-3, on March 17 in the series backed by Sorsogon sports patron Philip Escudero, Malungai Life Oil, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant, Servo Marketing, Hermes Sports Bar, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Bugsy Promotions, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines and Airport Casino Filipino.