Ronato Alcano

Ronato (Ronnie) Alcano (pronounced al-kah-no) (born July 27, 1972 in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines), is a Filipino professional pool player, nicknamed "Ronnie "Calamba" and "the Volcano".

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 begin 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 Cuegloss|Race|race 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 awardedWho|date=July 2007 Rookie of the Year for 2002.

Alcano turned back 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. [http://asian9-balltour.com Asian Nine-ball Tour official site] , Retrieved on 7 February, 2007]

Alcano was the unexpected victor at the 2006 WPA Men's World Nine-ball Championship, held in the Philippines, where he defeated German Ralf Souquet in the final by 17 racks to 11 (a performance regarding which ESPN commentator Gerry Forsyth concluded, "the only way to stop Alcano is to put a rattlesnake in his pocket, then ask him for a match"). 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 September 16, 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 December 11, 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. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/72548/Alcano-bags-gold-in-8-ball-pool-as-RP-drops-to-6th-overall GMA NEWS.TV, Alcano bags gold in 8-ball pool, as RP drops to 6th overall] ]

On April 25, 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. [ [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=116213 Abs-Cbn Interactive, Alcano loses World 8-Ball crown to Souquet] ]

Nicknames and monickers

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 mispronouce his last name as al-kay-no. Thus, the nickname "Volcano" was addressed.

Legal controversy

Alcano was charged on 12 July 2007 with rape of his 14-year-old daughter and with violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law (Section 5 of Republic Act 7610) before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. The case was filed after Assistant City Prosecutor Corazon Romano who recommended a total bail of P400,000 ($8,743) for both charges. Alcano denied the allegations, saying the girl was only after his money. He filed a perjury case against his daughter and her mother. But judge Fiscal Romano found in favor of his child. Alcano’s daughter alleged three incidents of sexual assault of a minor happened on November 25, 2006 and on the first week of December 2006. She alleged that Alcano touched her private parts, made lewd gestures in front of her, and put his hand on her private parts while they were lying on the bed with Gwendolyn, Alcano's partner.ool champ charged with sexual abuse [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=76325 Inquirer.net] , Retrieved on 13 July 2007 ] On July 23, 2007, Alcano posted a bail bond of P80,000 – 20 percent of the initial bail recommendation.

References

External links

* [http://www.matchroomsport.com/articleDetail.asp?intArticleId=181 Article on his 2006 World Nine-ball Championship victory]
* [http://www.worldpoolchampionship.com/photo_gallery.asp Pictures of Ronato Alcano winning the World Nine-ball Championship]
* [http://www.worldpoolmasters.com/staticPage.asp?strPageName=Ronnie%20Alcano Industry profile of Ronato Alcano]
* [http://www.billiardpulse.com/2006/11/ronnie-alcano-wins-world-pool.html Report at Billiard Pulse]