3 Filipinos in World 8-Ball semis headline Pinoy Sports

9-Ball world champion Ronnie Alcano and his bid to capture another billiards world championship title is still on.

Philippine billiards superstar Ronnie Alcano reached the semi-final round of the World 8-Ball Championship tournament by beating fellow countryman Elvis Calansang at the Al Bashton Hall in Fujairah of the UAE. The reigning 9-ball king will be joined by Dennis Orcollo and Joven Bustamante at the semi finals, keeping an all-Filipino final match at the World 8-Ball tournament still alive.

Dennis Orcollo beat Swede Marcus Chamat, 10-7 while fellow Filipino Joven Bustamante was able to come back after dropping two straight racks to beat German Thomas Engert 10-6.

In the PBA, the Air21 Express edged the Sta. Lucia Realtors, 101-94, taking care of their first assignment in the Talk N Text PBA Fiesta Cup. Former PBL MVP Gary David dropped a game-high 25 points to lead the Air21 Express.

Air21 head coach Bo Perasool couldn't be happier, ''I'm just happy that they stepped up in the end.''

While local standout Gary David took care of the offensive chores for the Express, it was Air21 import Shawn Daniels who took care of business on every other statistical category other than scoring. Daniels grabbed 17 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal to go with his solid 13 points to help his team with the W.

In golf, the Baguio golf team had 145 points to take a commanding 23-point lead in Group 1 of the 19th Philippine Corporate Cup round two at Camp John Hay Golf Club. Rudy Lockey was simply on fire for the hosts as he scored a dazzling 52 point-performance, leading his teammates towards the much-needed win.

Lockey's teammates was as good too, as Goody Ignacio scored 49 points followed by the 44 Romy Tio tallied.

Meanwhile, the qualifying round for the third Philippine Poker Tour Million-Peso Hold'Em Philippine Championship will start tomorrow. The event will be held at the San Mig in Alabang Town Center.

The Philippine Poker Tour Million-Peso Hold'Em Philippine Championship is scheduled every Wednesdays and Fridays.

PPT chairman Reynaldo Gamboa is looking for a Filipino poker champion to join other Filipino sports champions today.

''Now we have Manny Pacquiao in boxing and Bata Reyes and Ronnie Alcano in billiards as world champions. Why not a Filipino world champion in poker?'' Gamboa said.

Efren ''Bata'' Reyes and Ronnie Alcano are indeed world champions in their sport but I can't call Manny Pacquiao a world champion just yet until he beats what boxing considers the undisputed champion in Pacquiao's weight class, Juan Manuel Marquez.