Alcano, Orcollo, Pagulayan bid in Guinness World Series in Jakarta

MANILA, July 29 (PNA) -- Former 9-ball and 8-ball world champion Ronato Alcano, newly-crowned World Pool Masters ruler Dennis Orcollo, two-time national open champion Lee Vann Corteza and another ex-World 9-ball ruler Alex Pagulayan, head the crack Filipino contingent seeing action in the 2010 Guinness World Series of Pool-10 Ball Challenge Grand Finale beginning Thursday and ending on August 1 at the Mall Taman Anggrek in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Alcano, Orcullo, Corteza and Pagulayan will be joined by fellow Billiard Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) cue artists Antonio Lining, Jundel Mazon and Carlo Biado in the tournament proper.

Also included are former Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist Jeffrey de Luna and Southeast Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Victor Arpilleda.

Current World No. 1 and 2009 World Ten-Ball Champion Mika Immonen of Finland, current World No. 3 Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, 2007 US Open 9-Ball Champion Shane Van Boening and Stevie Moore of the United States, current World No. 5 Darren Appleton of Great Britain and local ace Ricky Yang are also seeing action in the event which offers US$ 40,000 to the champion in the US$ 95,000 total pot prize tournament.

Said John Galvin, Marketing Manager, Guinness: "The 2010 Guinness World Series of Pool – 10Ball Challenge demonstrates Guinness' commitment towards development in pool in Indonesia to hone local talents and showcase it against the world's best professional pool masters.

"Hence, it is a proud moment for us to stage this series of landmark pool events, culminating in the Grand finals in Jakarta".

Said Harvey Davis, Vice President, ESPN STAR Sports Event Management Group: "We are delighted to partner with Guinness again for this event and we're committed to offer our expertise to showcase the best cuesport action and ensure that the event will be held at the highest international standards for the competitors and spectators.

With over 15 hours of exhilarating pool action broadcast live over STAR Sports, we will be able to provide fans across the region a spectacular billiard event.

This is also a great avenue for us to work hand in hand with Guinness with their thrust of promoting the growth of the sport not just in Indonesia but across Asia as well." (PNA)