Dennis Orcollo barely survives national pool foe

MANILA, Philippines—Dennis Orcollo and Carlo Biado, two of the favored bets in the 2011 BSCP National Pool Championships, walked the tightrope before pulling off hard-earned wins at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City late Monday night.

Renemar David, a former national junior standout, scored the biggest upset of the day by stunning Roberto Gomez, 8-7.

Jeff de Luna, a perennial contender and the strongest powerbreaker in pool, showed up in tip-top condition by taking three straight matches.

Orcollo, the reigning World 8-Ball champion and currently ranked World No.1, outlasted veteran campaigner Edgar Acaba, 8-7.

Acaba, who led for most part of the match, tied the score at 7-all and had a golden opportunity of completing an upset by breaking in the final rack.

Unfortunately, Acaba scratched the cue ball while going for the break, allowing Orcollo to run out the table.

“I got lucky he scratched in the final rack. I was struggling the whole game, and was lucky to pull this one off,” said Orcollo, who trailed, 3-5, before nailing four of the next five racks to take control.

De Luna dominated Mario Tolentino, 8-3, to cap his three-game run. Biado nipped John Salazar, 8-7.

Also keeping a perfect record were Johann Chua, Ricky Zerna, Allan Cuartero and Rene Cruz.