Alcano is pool champ in Thailand

Former world billiard champion Ronnie Alcano defeated compatriot Lee Vann Corteza 11-7 in an-all Filipino showdown last Sunday to win the 2010 Sangsom Pattaya 9-Ball Invitational Pool Competition at the Royal Garden Plaza in Pattaya, Thailand.

Alcano went home with 300,000 baht while Corteza got 50,000 baht.

Losing semifinalists Dennis Orcullo and Liu Hui Chang of Chinese-Taipei received 30,000 baht each.

The victory in Pattaya was Alcano’s first major title this year. His last big win at the 8-ball division of the Galveston Classic Billiards Extravaganza at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston City, Texas where he emerged the champion.

Alcano became the third player in pool history to become a double world champion, winning the world 8-ball crown in the United Arab Emirates three years ago. He also won the world 9-ball title in 2007 in Manila.

Alcano was happy with his latest win. “Winning a tournament against some of the world’s best players is a very big accomplishment, and I’m very happy for this win,” he said.

Corteza outclassed Liu 10-4 in the semis while Alcano beat fellow Bugsy ace Orcullo 10-3 to forge an all-Filipino title match.