MANILA, Philippines – Ronato “Ronnie” Alcano and Antonio “Nikoy” Lining toppled their respective rivals to spearhead the Philippine charge against Great Britain II, 4-0, at the start of the first-ever World Team Cup Championship in Germany on Monday.

Former WPA 9-ball and 8-ball champion Alcano of Bugsy Promotions, stamped his class against Briton Michael Valentine, 8-6, in the 9-ball competition. The Japan-based Lining, meantime, defeated Chris Meiling, 8-4.

“It's a great start for the Philippine team,” said Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, president of Bugsy Promotions. “We hope mahawakan nila ang magandang momentum.”

Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) chairman Florentino “Yen” Makabenta added that the Nationals also won in the 8-ball Scotch doubles competitions with the scores of 6-5 and 6-4.

Another Bugsy stalwart, Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo, will play against Mick Hill in the 10-ball competition while Negros Billiard Stable top player and reigning two-time BSCP National Pool champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza will face Craig Osborne.

The World Team Cup Championship, which has attracted 200 cue artists (around 40 teams) from 50 countries, offers a total prize pot of $400,000. It uses the point-system tournament patterned after the famous Davis Cup in tennis.

The tournament is being held at the Hall 13 Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Hannover, Germany.

Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo and Warren “Warrior” Kiamco complete the six-man Team Philippines. BSCP vice president and veteran internationalist Edgar “Malabon” Acaba is designated as the team manager. – by Marlon Bernardino