Photo by August dela Cruz
MANILA—Dennis Orcollo said he is in the best form of his career. He wasted little time proving it Saturday.
The Filipino World No. 1 made quick work of Malta’s Tony Drago, 8-2, Saturday to advance to the quarterfinals of the PartyPoker.Net World Pool Masters at The Block of SM North in Quezon City.
Orcollo recovered from a mishap on the black-8 right in the opening frame to win the next six racks en route to the lopsided win that set him up for a last eight showdown with Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Jung-lin, who ousted American Shane Van Boening, 8-3.
“I’m confident because I’m playing better this year,” said Orcollo, who regained the top ranking last February and stayed on his lofty perch by bagging the World 8-Ball crown and the Derby City Classic title.
Francisco “Django” Bustamante became the first Filipino casualty after absorbing a 4-8 loss to unheralded Canadian Jason Klatt.
The multi-titled Bustamante was a shadow of his own ruthless self, scratching thrice with the last coming in the 12th rack that allowed Klatt to finish him off.
“He did not play his best, but it’s always an honor to play against a great Filipino player,” Klatt said of Bustamante, who found difficulty reading the speed of the table.
No player has won back-to-back titles in the 16-player invitational tournament since it started in 1994, but Orcollo said that with his current form, he has a good chance.
“There’s a lot of pressure to win here. It won’t be easy because the field is strong and the knockout system makes it more difficult,” said Orcollo.
Already trailing at 2-6, Drago gifted Orcollo with an open table after committing an illegal break, paving the way for the Filipino star to all but wrap up the victory.
The 25-year-old Klatt will next meet China’s Fu Jianbo, who eliminated England’s Chris Melling, 8-4.
India’s Raj Hundal also moved into the last eight with an 8-3 drubbing of Japanese Yukio Akagiriyama.
Hundal will face the winner of the match between Darren Appleton and Filipino legend Efren “Bata” Reyes scheduled today.
The other remaining last 16 match scheduled at 12 noon Sunday pits former world champions Ralf Soquet of Germany against Mika Immonen of Finland.