World No. 1 Orcollo wins National Open 9-ball title

MANILA, Philippines—World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo evened it up with up-and-coming pool star Carlo Biado after capturing the 9-ball division title in the BSCP National Pool Championship Monday at the Star Billiards Center.

Reigning World 8-ball champion Orcollo came roaring back from three points down to snare the title, 11-8, to make it a tight contest for the grand championship in the tournament dangling P200, 000 for the overall winner.

Biado, a former caddie who has been making waves in the pool arena this year, earlier got his hands on the 8-ball crown after defeating Allan Cuartero, 9-3.

Trailing by 3-6, Orcollo pounced on the 27-year-old Biado’s miscues to storm back in the match.

“I waited for him to make a mistake to get back in the game. Thankfully I was able to recover,” said Orcollo, who also bagged a P50, 000 cash prize.

Unlike Orcollo who nabbed the Predator 10-Ball title last September, it was the first major pool title for Biado, who has pulled off stunning upsets over tougher competitors in past tournaments.

“Finally, I made it. It has been my dream for quite sometime now to win a championship in a big tournament,” said Biado.

Orcollo and Biado are already assured of a berth in the WPA World Pool Summit to be held next month.