Pagulayan, Alcano reach Qatar Open's main draw

MANILA, Philippines - Philippines' Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano dominated their brackets in the qualifying round to enter the main draw of the Qatar Open 9-ball tournament at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation, Al Muntazah Road in Doha, Qatar. According to azbilliards.com, Pagulayan defeated compatriot Israel Rota, 7-4, in his last match to rule Group 6 and Alcano dominated Mohanna OBaidly, 7-1, to likewise rule Group 5. Organizers are expecting more Filipinos to reach the main draw as they were still competing in their respective qualifying groups. Still playing in the qualifying tilt were Allan Cuartero, Roberto Gomez, Ruben Cuna, Benjie Guevarra, Joven Bustamante, Leonardo Andam, Warren Kiamco and Gandy Valle. Filipinos who earned byes to the main draw were Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, World No.1 Dennis Orcollo, Ramil Gallego, Marlon Manalo, Jeffrey De Luna and Philippine national champion Lee Vann Corteza. A top prize worth $40,000 awaits the champion of the $150,000 event, which also saw the influx of European and North American players like Ralf Souquet, Thomas Engert, Oliver Ortmann and Thorsten Hohmann from Germany, Radoslaw Babica from Poland, Konstantin Stepanov from Russia, Niels Fejen from The Netherlands, Fabio Petroni from Italy, Marcus Chamat from Sweden and Johnny Archer and Shane Van Boening from the US. Britain's Daryl Peach is also campaigning in the event. - GMANews.TV