FILIPINO cue masters Dennis Orcollo and Carlo Biado and Taiwanese aces Chang Jung-lin and Ko Pin-yi will lead the Asian invasion in the 37th Annual US Open 9-Ball Championship on Oct. 21 to 27 at Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk Convention Center in Virginia.
The 32-year-old Orcollo, the 2011 World eight-ball champion, Biado, Chang and Ko are playing under the banner of sportsman/businessman Ceferino “Perry” Mariano of Bugsy Promotions.
“I won’t let the chance and support being given to me by Sir Perry (Mariano) and Ma’am Verna (Mariano) go to waste in this tough event,” said Orcollo, winner of last month’s China Open and semifinalist in the recent World Pool Masters.
“I’ll do my best to win the 9-ball title.”
Other Filipinos competing in the US Open are are former world champion Ronato Alcano, billiards Hall of Famer Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Warren Kiamco, Israel Rota, Santos Sambajon and Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica.
“The US Open is considered as the longest running and most prestigious 9-Ball Event in the world,” said Mariano, who has a huge stabl;e of pool stars.
This year’s US Open offers a total prize of $200,000.