MANILA, Philippines — Former world champion Ronnie Alcano barged into the round-of-32 with nary a trouble while unheralded Joven Alba scored the biggest win of his flourishing career so far by shocking former two-time world champion Efren “Bata” Reyes in the World 8-Ball Championship Wednesday at the Fujairah Exhibition Centre in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Alcano rolled to convincing 9-2 victory over Shaker Wahdan to arrange a duel with Germany's Oliver Ortmann, who trounced Mohammad Abdulmohsen Alhazmi, 9-2, in their own first round affair.
But it was Alba who made biggest news for the day as he scored a 9-5 win over his legendary rival that also earned him a berth in the next round.
Alcano, who won the 2007 edition of the event, and Alba joined Antonio "Nikoy" Lining and Oliver Medinilla in the next round
The 47-year-old Lining and Medinilla gained a first round bye after being listed as two of the eight best players after the double-elimination stage of this week-long tourney. They joined defending champion Karl Boyes in getting the early berth.
At presstime, Dennis Orcollo is battling Stephan Cohen for a berth in the round-of-32, while Roberto Gomez is up against Radoslaw Babica and Lee Van Corteza and John Salazar are playing in an all-Filipino affair.
Little-known Raymund Faruon, Joven Bustamante, Rodolfo and Ramil Gallego are also hoping to hurdle their respective rivals.
Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin
