Alcano, Django banner RP campaign in top-tier US 9-ball Open

MANILA, Philippines - Former world champion Ronnie Alcano leads a high-powered RP contingent that will compete in the 33rd US Open 9-Ball Championship at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Virginia. Alcano, who will fly to the US Saturday, will be joined by former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Ramil Gallego, Lee Van Corteza, Warren Kiamco, Rodolfo Luat, Jose "Amang" Parica and Joven Alba in the tournament that opens on Sunday. The championship purse is $40,000 (P1.92 million) out of a guaranteed total prize of $250,000. Top cue artists Efren "Bata" Reyes, current world no. 1 Dennis Orcollo and former world champion Alex Pagulay will not compete in the tournament. Reyes cited health reasons, while Orcollo and Pagulayan are scheduled to compete in the Grand Finals of the Guinness 9-Ball Tour on October 24 in Jakarta. Two Filipinos have previously won the top-tier tournament. Reyes took the title in 1994 and Pagulayan in 2005. - GMANews.TV