Alcano, Corteza join compatriots in World 8-Ball winner's side

Another group of Filipino players entered the win column after hurdling their first matches in the World 8-Ball Championship Monday night (Tuesday morning in Manila) at the Fujairah Exhibition Center in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Double world champion Ronnie Alcano, veteran campaigner Ramil Gallego, former World Ten Ball runner-up Lee Van Corteza, former World 9-Ball runner-up Roberto Gomez and Raymond Faraon won over their rivals to make it to the winners' side of this tournament, which serves as the first major event of the World Pool-Billiard Association. Alcano, who won the World 9-Ball crown in 2006 and World 8-Ball title the following year, outplayed Amine Quabhi, 7-4. Gallego made short work of his opening-round opponent David Platner, 7-1. But Alcano and Gallego will find themselves in an early collision course as they square off Tuesday. Corteza, runner-up to Mika Immonen in the World Ten Ball Championship in Manila two years ago, outlasted Japanese rival Tomoo Tanako, 7-5, to advance to the winners' side of Group 10. Gomez, who placed second behind Daryl Peach in the 2007 World 9-Ball Championship in Manila, nipped Chris Melling of Great Britain in a hill-hill encounter, 7-6. Barely getting a rest from his tough match with Melling, Gomez found himself in yet another difficult assignment. That’s because the Filipino cue artist will meet three-time world champion Ralf Souquet of Germany on Tuesday. Once a World 8-Ball champion in this same city three years ago, Souquet served notice of his title aspirations by blowing past Kenny Kwok of Hong Kong, 7-1. Faraon defeated Hanni Al Horri, 7-5, in their Group 14 match. One of the renowned players who is on a comeback trail is former world champion Earl “The Pearl" Strickland of the United States. He announced his return by beating Sumit Talwar, 7-5, in their Group 13 encounter Monday. - Rey Joble, KY, GMA News