ORCOLLO LAST FILIPINO STANDING IN QATAR WORLD 9-BALL SEMIS

ALL eyes on World No.1 Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, the last Filipino standing who posted two consecutive wins to move into the semi-final round of the Qatar Open 9-Ball tournament at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation in Al Muntazah Road in Doha, Qatar.

The Bislig, Surigao del Sur pride Orcollo, on the other hand, the ex-World Pool Leaque ruler stuns compatriots Warren "Warrior" Kiamco, 11-6, and Japan based Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, 11-9, respectively. Gallego, earlier eliminated Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 11-8, in the round-of-16.

Orcollo next assignment is Ralf "Kaiser" Souquet of Germany, winner over Darren Appleton of Great Britain in the round-of-16 and fellow World 9-ball titlist Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan in a similar 11-9 victory, in the round-of-8.

Pagulayan eliminated countryman 2007 World 9-Ball Finalist Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez, 11-6, in the round-of-16 before bowing to Souquet.

Joining them into the final four also applying race-to-11, alternate break format were reigning US Open 9-Ball kingpin Shane "The South Dakota Kid" Van Boening of the United States and Derby City Classic ruler Neils "The Terminator" Feijen of the Netherlands, who routed their respective opponents. The duo will clash for another semi-final pair.The finals of the $150,000 total pot prize tournament will be using race-to-13.

Van Boening beat Radoslaw Babica of Poland, 11-10, and Thomas "The Lean Machine" Engert of Germany, 11-9, in order while Feijen trounced 2007 WPA World Junior champion Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan, 11-8, and Naoyuki Ooi of Japan, 11-7. Ooi, conqueror of 2007 Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball champion Jeffrey "The Bull" De Luna, 11-8, in the round-of-16.

The champion here will receive $40,000, the runner-up gets $20,000, the losing semi-finalists will bring home $10,000 each, 5th to 8th placers will receive $5,000 each, 9thto 16th placers will pockets $2,500 each. While the 17th to 32nd placers will not go home empty-handed with $1,200 each.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison