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GUINNESS 9-BALL TOUR CUES OFF IN JAKARTA

April 19, 2007, Jakarta – Determined to further immortalize the claim that the Philippines is indeed at the forefront of world-class pool, reigning double world champion Ronato Alcano ( WPA 8-Ball and 9-Ball World Champion), will spearhead a gutsy four man line-up bannering the Philippine contingent composed of Jeffrey De Luna ( 2006 DOHA Asian games silver medallist), Dennis Orcollo ( 2006 World Pool League Champion) and newly crowned Philippine National Champion Lee Van Corteza as they set their eyes once again to achieve the near-improbable – A repeat performance of last year's historical all Filipino sweep of the tour orchestrated by no-less than the great Efren "Bata" Reyes.

However, such is a task easier said than done as a stiff competition field composed of the best pool artists in Asia including two World Champions – Taiwan's Chao Fong-Pang (1993 & 2000 WPA World Pool Champion) and compatriot Wu Chia-Ching (2005 WPA World Pool Champion) together with a formidable cast of local Indonesian are also hungry for the chance to be in the limelight and take home the 2007 tour's first trophy. Action in the group stage begins today, here at the glamorous Golden Ballroom of the Sultan Hotel, Indonesia.

Alcano is in Group H together with Yang Ching-Shun of Taiwan and Malaysian bet Patrick Ooi. The soft-spoken, soft-breaking Filipino pool wizard Alcano will take on Ooi first at 5pm (Manila Time) then face of against Taiwan's "Son of Pool" Yang at 8pm in the TV table on STAR Sports in a bid to avenge fellow country man Orcollo's loss to Yang earlier this month in an exclusive race to 60 tournament held in the Philippines.

Over in Group G, Negros billiards stable ace Lee Van Corteza will battle Indonesian bet Muhammad Zulfikri at 1245pm. He will then square-off with Chinese sensation Li He-Wen at 8pm.

2006 World Pool League Champion Dennis Orcollo, bracketed in Group F with Indonesian Siauw Wieto and Chinaman Liu Hai Tao will start his campaign against Siauw at 1245pm then close out the eliminations versus Liu at 5pm.

2006 Doha Asian Games Silver medallist Jeffrey De Luna will have his hands full when he challenges the pocketing skills of Former World Pool Title Holder and 9Ball phenom Wu Chia-Ching of Taiwan and afterwards utilize his trademark power breaking to test the mettle of Dharminder Singh Lilly at 630pm.

Formerly the Asian 9-Ball Tour, the Guinness 9-Ball Tour has been made bigger and better for players and fans alike with the new partnership between ESPN STAR Sports and Guinness. Total prize money has doubled to US$320,000 (from US$160,000 from last year's tour) and the Tour will feature a grand final in Bali for the Top 10 players. Winners of each leg will win US$15,000 while the Grand Final Champion will walk away with US$36,000.

The Guinness 9-Ball Tour remains the only ranking tour in Asia for players to qualify for the WPA World Pool Championship. The top ten finishers in the Guinness 9-Ball Tour Order of Merit will automatically qualify for pool's most prestigious event, this year's edition slated for a second straight staging for Manila in November.

Viewers in Asia can look forward to 15 hours of LIVE and exclusive telecast of the tournament on STAR Sports. Broadcast times are as follows:
• Fri Apr 20 17:00 - 21:30 (HKT) Preliminaries (3 matches)
• Sat Apr 21 13:00 - 19:00 (HKT) Quarterfinals (4 matches
• Sun Apr 22 12:00 - 16:30 (HKT) Semis & Final (3 matches)

Further information can be obtained at www.guinness9balltour.com

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