Corteza gets past Orcollo, rules rich Pacman tilt

MANILA, Philippines—Lee Van Corteza sustained his mastery of Dennis Orcollo Sunday night, scoring a convincing 11-7 victory over the World No. 1 to rule the $60,000 Manny Pacquiao International 10-Ball Championship at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.

Coming out strong after a loss in the earlier rounds, Corteza posted a stunning repeat of his win against Orcollo in another rich local tournament to capture the $30,000 champion’s purse.

Orcollo settled for the runner-up check of $10,000 in the tournament staged by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, an avid billiards enthusiast.

On his way to the finals, Corteza overcame Roberto Gomez, 9-6, and then repulsed Jeffrey De Luna, 11-6, in the Final Four.

Orcollo pumeled unheralded Jeffrey Diaz, 11-7, in the semifinals, after bundling out Jundel Mazon, 9-7, in the last eight. Diaz was responsible for sending Corteza to the losers’ bracket early in the tournament.

The cash-rich tournament lured the likes of former World 9-ball Champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, Jericho Bañares and national pool champion Carlo Biado.