Alcano bags Louisiana pool crown

Filipino Ronato Alcano ruled the Championship Cloth 5th Annual Pro Classic at the expense of Robb Saez, 11-7, on Sunday (Monday in Manila) in New Iberia, Louisiana.

After dropping his first match straight from the airport, Alcano racked up eight wins to annex the title in the international ranking points tournament.

Saez posted a tight 9-8 win over Adam Smith, then ran roughshod over Wang Can, 9-3, and Charlie Williams, 9-2, to arrange the showdown with Alcano, the 2006 World 9-ball and 2007 World 8-ball champion.

Alcano bested compatriot Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Israel Rota, Mike Davis, Can, Ralph Eckert and WiIlliams in succession.

The score was tied at 5-5 in the finals and Saez was in the process of a runout in the 11th rack when Alcano protested that Saez did not call a shot.

This turned the tide of the match and Saez was unable to regain control.

The American champion Shane Van Boening sponsored Alcano, who also knocked him out, in this event. Roy Luarca