Ronnie Alcano

Ronato (Ronnie) Alcano (pronounced al-kah-no) (born 27 July 1972 in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines), is a Filipino professional pool player, nicknamed "Ronnie ''Calamba''" and "the Volcano". He won both the 2006 WPA World Nine-ball Championship and the 2007 WPA World Eight-ball Championship.

Career history

After graduating in elementary school, Alcano didn't proceed to high school due to financial problems. He then opted to play pool for a living.

Alcano's recognitions in the Philippines began with his performances at the 2000 Rising Stars Tournament. By the final, he was highly favored to win the title, yet in the final match (a to 13), Alcano lost to Edgar Acaba by just a rack short, 13–12. Despite having a 12–7 advantage, Alcano missed while only three balls away. Acaba then returned to the table and won the needed 6 racks in a row to win the match and the title.

In 2002, Alcano began to make a name for himself, and began competing in major events in the US. He won five tournaments in the Joss Tour and was awarded Rookie of the Year for 2002 by azbilliards.com.

Alcano returned to the East, for the 2005 WPA Asian Nine-ball Tour, winning the Manila tournament (11-6 versus Yang Ching-shun), and qualifying for the world championship.Asian Nine-ball Tour official site
, Retrieved on 7 February 2007

Coming in as an underdog, Alcano upset German Ralf Souquet in the finals, 17 to 11 at the 2006 WPA Men's World Nine-ball Championship. ESPN commentator Gerry Forsyth said, "the only way to stop Alcano is to put a rattlesnake in his pocket, then ask him for a match" about Alcano's performance. He thus became the second Filipino (excluding 2004 winner Alex Pagulayan, as he represented Canada at that time) to become World Champion in this event after Efren Reyes won the title in 1999. In the November 2006 tournament, Alcano had been on the brink of elimination in group play before taking advantage of a soft break. He won just 1 of 3 group matches and scraped through as the 64th and final seed. Alcano then defeated local favorite Reyes and defending champion Wu Chia-ching in the knockout stages, proceeding to the final. For winning the tournament, Alcano won US$100,000 which is the largest first prize ever won in the world nine-ball championship.

In 2007, Alcano won the WPA World Eight-ball Championship by defeating his compatriot Dennis Orcollo in the final match 11–8.

On 16 September 2007, Alcano finished second to Antonio Gabica in the Philippine Nine-ball Open.

In an attempt to defend his title at the 2007 World Nine-ball Championship, Alcano was bested in the last 64 by Daryl Peach of the United Kingdom who ultimately won the title.

On 11 December 2007, Ronato Alcano won the Philippines' 31st gold medal in the 24th Southeast Asian Games Men's 8-Ball Pool Singles at the Sima Thani Hotel Grand Ballroom.

On 25 April 2008, Ronnie Alcano lost his title at the World 8-Ball Championships in Fujairah City, United Arab Emirates. Germany's Ralf Souquet won the $60,000 championship prize, 13–9 final score.

On 26 October 2008, Alcano lost to Mika Immonen in the $250,000 33rd US Open Nine-ball Championship, where 237 billiards players competed in Chesapeake, Virginia. Mika claimed the 13–7 victory against Alcano, who settled for $20,000.

Nicknames and monikers

During his early days of competing in the Philippines, Alcano was nicknamed "Calamba" which is a reference to his hometown in the country (see above). But when he started participating in US-based tournaments, some commentators mispronounced his last name as al-kay-no. Thus, the nickname "Volcano" was addressed.

Title and achievements

* 2012 Championship Cloth Pro Classic 9-Ball
* 2012 Chuck Markulis Memorial 9-Ball-Division
* 2010 Star Billiards Ten-ball Championships
* 2010 Pattaya 9 Ball Invitational
* 2009 Galveston World Classic Eight-ball
* 2009 Southeast Asian Games Eight-ball Singles
* 2007 Southeast Asian Games Eight-ball Singles
* 2007 San Miguel Beer World 9-Ball Challenge
* 2007 WPA World Eight-ball Championship
* 2006 Philippine Sportsman of the Year
* 2006 WPA World Nine-ball Championship
* 2005 San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour (Manila leg)
* 2005 Southeast Asian Games Rotation Doubles
* 2005 Southeast Asian Games Rotation Singles

References

External links

Article on his 2006 World Nine-ball Championship victory

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alcano, Ronato
1972 births
Filipino pool players
Living people
People from Calamba, Laguna
Sportspeople from Laguna (province)
World champions in pool
Southeast Asian Games gold medalists for the Philippines
Southeast Asian Games competitors for the Philippines
Southeast Asian Games medalists in cue sports
WPA World Eight-ball Champions
WPA World Nine-ball Champions
Competitors at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games
Competitors at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games
Competitors at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games