Orcollo in semis; Bata also tumbles in World Pool Masters
MANILA—Filipino World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo kept his ruthless form in bundling out Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Jung-lin, 8-1, Sunday to claim the first semifinal berth in the Partypoker.Net World Pool Masters at The Block in SM North Edsa in Quezon City.
Playing what he described as “a perfect game,” Orcollo strung up eight straight racks and advanced to a last four duel with China’s Fu Jianbo, who eliminated Canada’s Jason Klatt with an 8-5 triumph.
Orcollo’s resounding victory eased the pain of Filipino legend Efren “Bata” Reyes’ 5-8 loss to England’s Darren Appleton earlier.
“I’m just comfortable at the table now,” said Orcollo, who also scored an 8-1 victory over Malta’s Tony Drago in the first round. “I can smell it (title). I’m just really confident with my game.”
With Reyes following bosom buddy Francisco “Django” Bustamante to the exits, Orcollo now is the last Filipino standing int the tournament that dangles a $20,000 purse for the champion.
Lee Vann Corteza could have added to the PH charge but fumbled against Ralf Souquet later in the evening, when the German pounced on a rare error by the Filipino in the 13th rack to complete an 8-6 victory.
The victory set Soquet, who was inducted to the Billiards Hall-of-Fame early this year, to a semifinal showdown with the winner of the match between Appleton and Ran Hundal of India.
Corteza looked headed to go on the hill first with a brilliant break in the 13th rack. But the Davao-born cue artist snookered himself on the pink-4 and was forced to a difficult jump shot that missed.
Soquet cleaned up the rack, before breaking and running out the 14th rack to keep his dream for a first title in the Philippine alive.
Not even two illegal breaks could spoil Orcollo’s march as his brilliant shotmaking and positional play spelled the difference.
Orcollo buried a table-length bank shot on the red-3 in the 4th rack and sank the yellow-1 with a precise long jump shot to keep Chang rooted to his seat in the 7th rack.
Reyes couldn’t get anything going early on and just when everyone thought he was starting to find his groove, he was called for illegal breaks twice late in the match, hastening the loss that stunned the huge Sunday crowd.
Uncharacteristically missing shots on the side pocket and losing safety battles, Reyes fell behind 2-5, before mounting a brief comeback at 5-7.
Reyes buried the red-3 on his break in the 13th rack, but lost his turn because only one ball got past the head string, making it a violation.
LAST FILIPINO STANDINGOrcollo in semis; Bata also tumbles By Cedelf P. Tupas Filipino World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo kept his ruthless form in bundling out Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Jung-lin, 8-1, yesterday to claim the first semifinal berth in the Partypoker.Net World Pool Masters at The Block in SM North Edsa in Quezon City. Playing what he described as “a perfect game,” Orcollo strung up eight straight racks and advanced to a last four duel with China’s Fu Jianbo, who eliminated Canada’s Jason Klatt with an 8-5 triumph. Orcollo’s resounding victory eased the pain of Filipino legend Efren “Bata” Reyes’ 5-8 loss to England’s Darren Appleton earlier. “I’m just comfortable at the table now,” said Orcollo, who also scored an 8-1 victory over Malta’s Tony Drago in the first round. “I can smell it (title). I’m just really confident with my game.” With Reyes following bosom buddy Francisco “Django” Bustamante to the exits, Orcollo now is the last Filipino standing int the tournament that dangles a $20,000 purse for the champion. Lee Vann Corteza could have added to the PH charge but fumbled against Ralf Souquet later in the evening, when the German pounced on a rare error by the Filipino in the 13th rack to complete an 8-6 victory. The victory set Soquet, who was inducted to the Billiards Hall-of-Fame early this year, to a semifinal showdown with the winner of the match between Appleton and Ran Hundal of India. Corteza looked headed to go on the hill first with a brilliant break in the 13th rack. But the Davao-born cue artist snookered himself on the pink-4 and was forced to a difficult jump shot that missed. Soquet cleaned up the rack, before breaking and running out the 14th rack to keep his dream for a first title in the Philippine alive. Not even two illegal breaks could spoil Orcollo’s march as his brilliant shotmaking and positional play spelled the difference. Orcollo buried a table-length bank shot on the red-3 in the 4th rack and sank the yellow-1 with a precise long jump shot to keep Chang rooted to his seat in the 7th rack. Reyes couldn’t get anything going early on and just when everyone thought he was starting to find his groove, he was called for illegal breaks twice late in the match, hastening the loss that stunned the huge Sunday crowd. Uncharacteristically missing shots on the side pocket and losing safety battles, Reyes fell behind 2-5, before mounting a brief comeback at 5-7. Reyes buried the red-3 on his break in the 13th rack, but lost his turn because only one ball got past the head string, making it a violation.
