Valle ousted in UAE 9-Ball

Davao City's Gandy Valle kissed his hopes goodbye, while Ronato Alcano stayed alive in the Knightshot Champions 9-Ball Challenge at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club in the United Arab Emirates. Bugsy Promotions mainstay Valle, father of two, bowed to compatriot Ricky Zerna of the Negros Billiards Stable, 6-11, while Alcano racked up an 11-3 win over Rotchild in their quarterfinal matches. Zerna arranged a semifinals clash with fellow Filipino Jarry Pelayo, who demolished Mustafa Hassan, 11-5. Alcano was set to play against Allan Quarterro, an 11-6 winner over Mohammad Al Hosani, as of Wednesday. Valle crushed Mohammad Faraj, 7-2, in the last 64 then he followed it up with a 9-2 win over Ahmad Gloom in the last 32 and 10-4 rout against Joyme Vicente in the last 16 before falling at the hands of Zerna. The two-time world champion Alcano, who hails from Laguna, barged into the semis after emerging victorious over Khaled Esbattia (7-5), Edgar Alcoser (9-2), Ismael Yaqoob (10-5), and Rotchild (11-3). Zerna eliminated Salah Farooq (7-2), Kim Aguipo (9-3), Naif Al Jaweni (10-7), and Valle, 11-6, in the cuefest that stakes a cash prize of $10,000 to the champion. The Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and Senate President Manny Villar's Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports backed up the Filipinos stints in the meet. - Sun.Star Davao