BSCP backs World Champ: Alcano staves off ouster

Reigning world 9-ball and 8-ball champion Ronnie Alcano continued to struggle but escaped outright elimination as he edged Benjie Guevarra, 9-8, yesterday to stay alive in the second BSCP National Pool Championship at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A day after absorbing a shock 5-9 setback to unheralded Fidel Punzalan, Alcano stood a combination away from getting bundled out in a tournament he was favored to win. But it was Guevarra who succumbed to pressure as he muffed what could have been a game-winning 5-9 combination in the deciding 17th frame, enabling Alcano to snatch the win and stay in the hunt for the top purse worth P500,000.

"I was close to losing again," said Alcano in Filipino.

Earlier, the organizing BSCP (Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Phils.) expressed its full support and confidence in Alcano, who has been charged before the QC Prosecutor’s Office with sexual abuse by his 14-year-old daughter.

In a statement, Yen Makabenta, chair of the BSCP, rallied behind the double world pool champion, whom he said "is being roasted live and unfairly in the coals of publicity and sensationalism."

"Nothing has been presented in the case that deserves the kind of publicity it is getting or should lead us to doubt Ronnie’s integrity and good name," said Makabenta. "And there is no way of knowing whether the complaint has any basis or is just a case of harassment."

Meanwhile, Antonio Gabica joined Alcano in the loser’s bracket following a 7-9 defeat to Ramil Gallego. Alcano later booked his second win by besting Daniel dela Rosa, 9-5.

Defending champion Alex Pagulayan walloped Leonardo Andam, 9-3, in the nightcap to arrange a duel with Godofredo Ducanes, who upended Marlon Manalo, 9-6.

Last year’s runner-up Gandy Valle and Warren Kiamco, however, were the first seeded bets to crash out of the six-day event. Kiamco bowed to Rodrigo Geronimo, 2-9, while Valle absorbed a 6-9 setback from 2007 Scandinavian Open champion Roberto Gomez.