Alcano takes thriller over US bet

Ronnie Alcano put on a strong start but needed a stronger finish to subdue unheralded Mitch Ellerman, 11-10, in the third round of the US Open 9-ball Championship at the Chesapeake Convention Center in Chesapeake, Virginia Tuesday.

Alcano pounced on Ellerman’s dry break on the 21st rack to pound out the victory and arrange a fourth round showdown with Canadian Tyler Edey.

The 35-year-old Alcano of Bugsy Promotions picked up from where he left off following his 11-4 rout of Matt Clatterbuck in the second round as the former double world champion seized control early at 4-2.

But the American fought back and rallied to tie the match at 6 then engaged the Filipino bet in a tight contest before wresting the upperhand at 9-8.

Alcano, however, flashed his resiliency and pocketed two straight racks to reach the hill first only to yield the next on a dry break, enabling Ellerman to draw level again on a run-out.

But the American also came out empty in the deciding frame, giving Alcano the chance to wrap up the match with a run-out of his own.

Alcano, whose campaign is backed by the BMPAP (Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Phils.), will next face Canadian Tyler Edey.

Only three other Filipinos remained in the winners’ bracket former world No.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Lee Van Corteza also posting a pair of cliffhangers and Jose “Amang” Parica surviving an upset bid by a little-known rival.

Bustamante of Puyat Sports edged England’s Imran Majid, 11-10, while Corteza squeaked past local bet Tony Chohan, 11-10, and Parica beat David Broxson, 11-7.

Rodolfo Luat, Ramil Gallego and Warren Kiamco dropped their third round matches with Luat losing to former champion Nick Varner, 11-10; Gallego succumbing to Tony Robles, 11-5, and Kiamco blowing a 6-0 lead and bowing to Josh Lewis, 11-9.

Others in the losers’ side are Leonardo Andam and Joven Alba, who stayed in the hunt after losing their opening round matches.

Andam beat Richard Barney, 11-5, while Alba trounced Willie Simpson, 11-6.

Defending champion Shane Van Boening won over Ernesto Dominguez, 11-7, to likewise stay unbeaten.

Former world champions Mika Immonen, Johnny Archer and Thorsten Hohmann also went 3-0, while reigning world 9-ball champion Ralf Souquet and world No. 2 Niels Feijen are now in the left side of the draw.