Orcollo starts World Masters title defense

MANILA—Oozing with confidence, world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo opens his title defense Saturday against a battle-hardened veteran from Malta at the start of the Party Poker World Pool Masters at the SM North Edsa in Quezon City.

Orcollo, who won the crown last year at the expense of Japanese Toru Kuribayashi, 8-3, in Las Vegas, clashes with Tony Drago at 12 noon on the first day of the tournament that dangles a $20,000 purse.

“I’m confident but the field is strong and any player can win the tournament,” Orcollo said.

Orcollo need not look far for his main challengers. Former world champions Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Efren “Bata” Reyes and Lee Vann Corteza are all entered in the tournament.

Bustamante and  Corteza simultaneously open their campaigns at 6 p.m. today against Jason Klatt of Canada and Huidji See of the Netherlands, respectively.

Perry Mariano of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines expressed confidence that the Philippines will continue to keep the title.

“We have a stronger lineup of Filipino players,” said Mariano.

Of the three Filipinos seeing action today, Corteza has the toughest assignment in See, who bagged the World 10-Ball crown last May in Manila.