MANILA, Philippines - Reigning World Pool champion Ronato Alcano left the country yesterday to seal an endorsement deal with ESPN Star Sports and Guinness Beer officials in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Of course, I’m happy,” said the 34-year-old Alcano in Filipino, referring to the P1-million offer he received from the famous Irish stout beer.
“We’re really thrilled that he (Alcano) was chosen by Guinness to be its endorser over other Filipino players,” said Verna Mariano, Alcano’s manager and Bugsy promotions head. “Maybe they (Guinness) like a new face and they are still enthralled by Ronnie’s victory in the World Pool Championships.
“Hopefully, this will inspire other rising players to do better,” said Mariano, who accompanied Alcano to Kuala Lumpur. “Who knows, they may become product endorsers as well.”
Alcano gained prominence when he beat ex-world titlist Ralf Souquet of Germany in the finals of the WPC last November at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City .
In his first major tournament this year, Alcano made it to the quarterfinals of the 17th Annual All Kansai 9-ball Open last week in Osaka, Japan.
In a separate interview last Monday, lawyer Vic Rodriguez revealed it’s not the money but the international exposure he’s going to get that prompted his client (Alcano) to accept the Guinness offer.
Guinness Beer is the new title sponsor of the six-city Asian 9-ball tour, a qualification tournament for the World Pool Championships.
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