Cayetano hopes Alcano's world pool conquest
will start winning streak for RP sports

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today congratulated Ronato "Ronnie Calamba" Alcano for clinching the 2006 World Pool Championship in such a dominant fashion last night over former world champion and veteran internationalist Ralf Souquet of Germany, saying that the inspiring story of the new "King of Pool" displayed the triumph of spirit over poverty and adversity.

"In a country sorely in need of modern-day heroes, Alcano's juggernaut came at the right place and time," the senator said.

"Sports is such a uniting factor, especially in a country that is constantly embroiled in political and economic turmoil."

She said Alcano has proven that Filipinos can excel in any sport if given the right breaks and sufficient support by both government and the private sector.

"For years, Ronnie has toiled behind the shadows of more prominent pool players. But holding the world pool championship here has finally given him an opportunity to prove his skills," she said of the previously unheralded player, a grade school dropout who came from a poor family in Calamba, Laguna.

Cayetano, a sports enthusiast herself who just came from successful stints at the Venice Marathon (October 22) and New York City Marathon (November 5), hopes Alcano's victory would inspire more Filipino athletes to excel in forthcoming international competitions.

"I hope this would trigger a winning streak for Filipinos competing in international sporting events towards the end of the year," she said, referring to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao's much-awaited third bout with Mexico's Erik Morales on Nov.18, and the Philippine Team's campaign in the upcoming 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar from December 1-15.