KIAMCO WINS HOUSTON POOL TITLE

MANILA, Philippines – TWO weeks after Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo ruled the 2012 China Open at the Shanghai Pudong Yuanshen Stadium in Shanghai, China, his bossom buddy Warren "Warrior" Kiamco made his own mark in the United States as he topped the Houston Open at the Legends Billiards League City, Texas last September 28 to 30.

In claiming his overall title in the event, the Pasil, Cebu native Kiamco defeated Danny Lee of the United States, 9-6, in the finals to collect $3,025.00 in prize money.Lee, on the other hand, received the runner-up purse of $2,015.00.

Kiamco and Lee traded racks to an early 2-2 tie, to which Kiamco added two for a slim 4-2 lead. Lee responded with three straight of his own, which gave him an even slimmer 5-4 lead. They traded racks back and forth to a 6-6 tie. Kiamco took the 13th rack, and at a critical juncture in the 14th, Lee attempted a long bank shot late in the game that failed. Kiamco cleaned up and was on the first-set-race-to-9 hill. Lee scratched on the subsequent break, and Kiamco closed it out to win the event title.-Marlon Bernardino-

Orcollo tops China Open

FILIPINO Dennis Orcollo won the 2012 China Open Sunday afternoon after beating Taiwan's Lu Hui Chan, 11-9, held at the Shanghai Pudong Yuanshen Stadium arena in Shanghai, China.

It was the second major title of the year for the Surigaonon, who in May won the U.S. 10 Ball Championship in Vegas, when he beat Francisco Bustamante in the final.

Orcollo pocketed the US$40,000 for the title, while Lu settles for US$20,000.

The top player of Bugsy Promotions Orcollo broke open a 3-3 tie with six racks in a row in the Alternate-Breaks format final to take a commanding 9-3 advantage according to Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head Ceferino “Perry” Mariano.

"Mula sa 3-all deadlock rumatsada si Dennis (Orcollo) ng anim na racks bagama't naging matatag pa din y'ung Taiwanese sa bandang huli," said Mariano.

However, the Lu then bounced back into the contention at 9-7. The see-saw battle continued with Orcollo eventually reaching the hill 10-9.

In Rack 20 Lu left a two ball open and Orcollo siezed the opportunity, running out for the victory.

World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) press officer American Ted Lerner quoted Orcollo who said “I was so nervous today, but I just tried to calm down and enjoy the game. Chang is a great player and he played good today. I have a lot of experience playing on the TV table and I’ve had a lot of tough matches this week so this helps me with the pressure. For the final I just need to relax, wait for my chances and be aggressive when I find an opening.”

On the road's to the final, the former fisherman from Mindanao bested Fu Jian Bo of China 11-4, in the Round of 32, Dang Jin Hu of China, 11-9, in the Round of 16, Han Hao-Xiang of China, 11-8, in the Round of 8,  and Chan Yu-lung of Chinese-Taipei, 11-19, in the Round of 4.

Earlier, Orcollo lost his first match 9-8 to Andreas Gerwen of Sweden.In the China Open, players first play a double-elimination phase that halves the field to 32. Then the tournament shifts into single-elimination. Orcollo then had to beat Dutchman Nick Van Den Berg 9-7 then buck a 1-6 deficit against China's Wang Ming to win 9-8 and make the single-knockout stage.-Marlon Bernardino-

BILLIARDS NEWS PHILIPPINES

 


THE PAIR OF ORCOLLO, CORTEZA READY FOR WORLD CUP OF POOL AGAINST SWISS DUO 
FILIPINO cue masters Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza are ready to plunge into action at the 2012 Partypoker.Net World Cup of Pool on September 4 to 9 at the Robinson's Place Manila.

Orcollo and Corteza will make up Philippine Team A in the $250,000 billiards team event with $60,000 going to the eventual champions. 

 Orcollo and Corteza face the dangerous Swiss pair of Dimitri Jungo and Ronni Regli.

THE TANDEM OF 'BATA', 'DJANGO' WILL PLAY HONGKONG 
Making up Philippine Team B are fellow billiards champions Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante will play Hongkong.

In last year’s World Cup of Pool, the tandems of Orcollo and Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, Reyes and Bustamante represented the Philippines. Unfortunately though, both teams suffered defeats in the quarterfinal round.

Reyes and  Bustamante, won the inaugural edition back in 2006 in Newport, England after they beat Americans Earl Strickland at Rodney Morris. Then in 2009, they repeated as champions. In their 2011 stint, the duo made their way past two rounds but was demolished by Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, who became the eventual champions.

 There are a total of 32 teams competing with 31 nations represented –host nation the Philippines are allowed to have 2 teams in the event according to Philippine Billiards God Father Aristeo "Putch " Puyat.

PAGULAYAN MAKES A WELCOME RETURN TO MANILA 
In other exciting first round matches, 2004 World Pool Champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan makes a welcome return to Manila, this time representing Canada and paired with John Morra.
They are up against the capable Swedish duo of Mosconi Cup legend Marcus Chamat and Andreas Gerwen.

Tournament features defending champions Germany headed by Souquet and Hohmann looking to open their account against qualifiers Serbia.

The USA, made up of 2008 champions Morris and Shane Van Boening, are back and face a tricky contest against flamboyant Indian duo Raj Hundal and Amar Kang.

Reyes, Bustamante, Orcollo, Corteza, Pagulayan and Alcano are member of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) under the leadership of Puyat, co-founder Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions, Jonathan Sy of Negros Billiards Stable and it's chairman Isaac Belmonte of the Philippine Star.
-Marlon Bernardino-

AMIT, CENTENO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS IN YALIN WOMEN'S WORLD 10-BALL

 FILIPINA Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit continued her streak in the ongoing WPA (World Pool-Billiard Association) 4th Annual Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship yesterday at the Robinson's Galleria in Ortigas.

The Cebuana native Amit, who also won Women's World 10-Ball Championship four years ago, used her power breaks to defeat B.R. Jung of Korea, 6-2, and K.Yukawa of Japan, 6-1, respectively to match the 2-0 record of countryman 13-year-old  Cheska Centeno of Zamboanga City.

“Break has become the difference in the match,” said Amit, playing under the Puyat Sports after the match. “I had a more solid breaking game in my first two matches.” she added.

Centeno on the other hand, dumped M. Grujicic of Venezuela, 6-0, for her second straight wins in as many rounds. She earlier beat Japan's Noriko Onoda, 6-4.

Another Filipino entry Iris Ranola of Zamboanga City had a 1-2 win-loss record.  The reigning Southeast Asian Games double gold medallist is not as fortunate as she dropped her opening matches against Kimuka Maki of Japan with a similar 6-4 output then followed a 6-4 victory against Singaporean Charlene Chai but bowed to L. Fulberg of Sweden, 4-6.

2010 World 10-ball champion Jasmin Ouschan of Austria is the first player advanced to the knock-out stage. She beat N. Praveen of India, 6-2, K. Sone of Japan, 6-3, and Ga Young Kim of Korea, 6-4.

Defending champion Kelly Fisher of Great Britain, meantime tallied 2-1 record. She beat A. Mazhirina of India, 6-2, and Onoda, 6-0, but failed to Yu Ram Cha of Korea, 5-6.

According to Charlie Williams of the organizing Dragon Promotion, the four-day $21,000 top prize event divided into eight groups, with the top three players from each group will advance to the next round.-Marlon Bernardino-

'Bata' Reyes winds up second in World Straight pool in US

FILIPINO hall of famer Efren "Bata" Reyes failed to overhaul his American foe’s hot start to settle for second place in the the World 14.1 (World Straight pool) tournament in Flushing, New York, USA, over the weekend.

John Schmidt of Hesperia, California put USA back on top again in the 100th anniversary tournament of the game after beating Reyes, 200-169, in the finals.

Schmidt reached the finals after outclassing Ralph Eckert of Germany 200 to 60 while Reyes subdued reigning World 9-Ball and US Open 9-Ball Champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain, 200-108.       -Marlon Bernardino-

ALEX PAGULAYAN WINS BACK TO BACK TITLE IN U.S. POLL CIRCUIT

FILIPINO pool master Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan preserved his winning run in the American pool circuit by ruling the 2012 Southern Classic 9 Ball Championship at the  Accu-Stats Simonis Arena at Harrah’s Casino and Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi, United States on Wednesday.

Pagulayan defeated fellow World 9-ball champion Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer, 7-6, in the finals.

Pagulayan beat Shane Van Boening of the USA to get into the final, and Archer beat another Filipino entry Warren "Warrior" Kiamco. In the previous round the Pasil, Cebu pride Kiamco beat countryman World 8-Ball titlist Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, putting paid to the chances of there being three Filipinos in the last four.

It was the Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan second straight title in US pool circuit whose stint is being supported by Philippine Billiard God Father Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, following his triumphs in the Diamond 10 Ball Challenge over the weekend. He nipped Landon Shuffett of the USA, 15-10, for the coveted title.

" Alex do his best to put the country once again in the world map of sports." said Philippine Billiard God Father Aristeo "Putch" Puyat.       -Marlon Bernardino-

ORCOLLO WINS US OPEN 10-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP; POCKETS $15,000

FILIPINO Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo added the 4th US Open 10-Ball Championship (formerly Billiards Congress of America) to his growing list of tournament achievements when he won on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Regarded as the top player of Bugsy Promotions, Orcollo defeated compatriots 2004 WPA World 9-Ball Champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, 9-8, in the semi-final round and 2010 WPA World 9-Ball Champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 11-5, in the finals to win the top prize of US$15,000. The top player of Puyat Sports Bustamante, on the other hand, received the runner-up prize of US$8,500. On the road to the semi-finals, the 2011 WPA World 8-Ball Champion Orcollo needed to beat Oscar Dominguez of Mexico, Kostas Paspatis of Greece, Mike Dechaine and Manny Chau of USA and Rain Chiang of Taiwan, respectively. Orcollo, a former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur’s trip to United States was supported by Malungay Life Oil, Bugsy Promotions, BRKHRD Corporation, Hermes Sports, ACCEL, B-League Corp., BMPAP (Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines) and Quezon City government headed by mayor Herbert Bautista, vice-mayor Joy Belmonte and rep. Winston Castelo. "I want to show through my actions that athletic excellence can be achieved with dedication, hard-work and support." said the reigning Philippine Sportswriter Association (PSA) Co-Athlete of the Year Orcollo, a feared money-game shark anywhere in the world. "I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen and as well as my boss Perry and Verna (Mariano) who has been helping me compete abroad,” added Orcollo, 2011 Southeast Asian Games gold medallist. According to sportsman/businessman Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, president of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions and long-time benefactor of Orcollo, winning the prestigious 4th US Open 10-Ball Championship (formerly Billiards Congress of America) is another good news for Philippine Sports. Mariano, also the founder of the National Collegiate Billiards League (NCBL) or B-League was ecstactic of Orcollo’s feat. Last May 6, Orcollo dismantled Shane Van Boening of USA, 11-3, in the finals enroute the 3rd Annual Hard Times 10-Ball Open title at the Hard Times Billiards in California, USA. Other Filipinos who competed in the formerly Billiards Congress of America tournament were Jose "Amang" Parica, Santos "The Saint" Sambajon and Jun Almoite. Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica, who acted the spokesman of the Philippine contingent, said that Filipino pool wizards will resume their quest for honor and glory when the 2012 WPA World 9-Ball Championship gets underway on June 22 to 29 the Al Sadd Sports Club Al Sadd St. Sport Roundabout in Doha, Qatar. Orcollo will be teaming up with Bustamante and Filipino billiards maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes as well former World Women's 10-ball ruler Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit for the 2012 World Team Tournament on June 30 to July 6 in China. -Marlon Bernardino-

DJANGO EXACTS REVENGE, WINS PBB FACE OFF SERIES

Manila, Philippines---FILIPINO pool wizard Francisco "Django" Bustamante squeaked past Taiwanese Pin Yi-ko to avenged the loss of his fellow Puyat Sports player to win the Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face Off Series late Saturday (February 25) at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City.

The 48-year-old pool legend showed vintage form to pull off a come-from-behind win against Ko, 9-7, in the winner's break format, dubbed as Philippines versus Asia,  jointly organized by the Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp and aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34, and also aired worldwide through the Internet, live streaming at www.megasportsworld.com andwww.philippinebigtimebilliards.com.

The Tarlac City cue master, one of the top players of sportsman/businessman Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, acknowledged Philippine Billiards God Father, trailed, 7-5, before securing the next four racks to lift Team Philippines into a 1-all deadlock against Team Asia.

Actually, the two-time World Junior Champion Ko, took a 3-1, to 6-4 commanding lead until Bustamante fought back from the grave.

"In the start of the match I was so nervous when Ko took a 3-1, 6-4 to 7-5 lead," said Bustamante who reigned supreme in the 2010 WPA World Pool Championships (World 9-Ball), defeating Taiwanese “The Little" Monster” Kuo Po-cheng, 13-7, in the final was held in Doha, Qatar.

"However i didn't lose hope because of the winner's break format. Maybe it can turn around the situation but i need to play solid," he added.

Last February 18, Ko downed Filipino pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-4, for the first win of Team Asia in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards introduces a fresh new format for 2012.

The PBB Face Off series backed up by Sorsogon Province Sports Patron Philip Escudero of Malungai Life Oil, Airport Casino Filipino, Hermes Sports Bar, I-Bar, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Bugsy Promotions, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and The Philippine Star 
resumes with a match pitting 2012 World 8-Ball Champion Jung Lin Chang of Chinese-Taipei against Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza on March 3 and Chang versus Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo on March 10.-Marlon Bernardino-

WORLD 8-BALL: BIADO, GOMEZ JOINS 7 OTHERS PHL BETS IN LAST 64

REIGNING National Open champion Carlo "The Black Tiger"Biado defeated Francisco Diaz-Pizarro of Spain, 7-2, while countryman and fellow Bugsy Promotion ace Roberto "Pinoy Superman"Gomez crushed Luke Rollinson of Great Britain, 7-3, respectively in Group M to salvage a spot in the Last 64 of the 2012 World 8-Ball Championship at the Fujairah Tennis and Country Club in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates yesterday.


Raymund Faraon also breezed through the main draw as he ripped Ahmed Al Hosani of UAE, 7-1, and Nick Van den Berg of the Netherlands,7-4, in Group N, while Demosthenes "Plong-Plong"Pulpul held off Albin Ouschan of Austria,7-6, in a do-or-die match in Group J as well Elmer Haya routed Yousfi Chaouki of MAR, 7-5, in Group D and Elvis Calasang smashed Al Howri Hanni of UAE,7-5,in Group F.


A total of 9 Filipinos, headed by defending champion Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza and Joven "Snooker Specialist" Alba, made it to the Last 64, a single round, race-to-11 knockout format, which offered a whooping $156,000 total prize. The winner will receive $20,000 cash purse.


Orcollo takes on Nasser Al Mujaibel of Kuwait in the round-of-64; Corteza squares off with Lee Chenman of Hongkong; Alba vs Ahmad Jallad of Jordan; Biado vs Haya; Gomez vs Mario He of Austria;Pulpul vs Hwang of Korea and Faraon vs Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan and Calasang vs Yukio Akagariyama of Japan.    -Marlon Bernardino-

ORCOLLO SET TO DEFEND WORLD 8-BALL TITLE

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – World No. 1 player Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo will begin his bid to retain his title when the 2012 World 8-Ball Championships gets underway on February 12 to 17 at the Fujairah Exhibition Center in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

"I'm hoping to defend my title… I need to play hard. Every player has a chance to be a champion," said the former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur whose local and international campaign backed up by Malungai Life Oil, ACCEL, Hermes Sports Bar, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant,Golden Leaf Restaurant, I-Bar, BRKHRD Corp., Bugsy Promotions and Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).


Last year, Orcollo, Bugsy Promotions’ top player, defeated Niels "The Terminator" Feijen of the Netherlands, 10-3, in the finals to cement his status of one of the world's best pool players and run away with the $40,000 championship purse.

Orcollo’s stirring performance duplicated the World 8-Ball title conquests made by compatriots Efren "Bata" Reyes in 2004 and Ronato "Volcano" Alcano in 2007.

The only World 8-Ball crowns that the Filipino pool champions failed to win were those in 2005 (won by Taiwanese Wu Chia-ching), 2008 (German Ralf Souquet) and 2010 (Englishman Karl Boyes). The event was not held in 2006 and 2009.

"We have a stronger lineup and I'm confident that we can win the prestigious crown," said Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) co-founder Ceferino "Perry" Mariano, top honcho of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions.

Also campaigning in the 2012 World 8-Ball are Carlo "The Black Tiger" Biado and Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez also from Bugsy Promotions and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza of the Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiards Stable.

Meanwhile, Orcollo and boxing champion Nonito Donaire Jr.  are co-winners of the prestigious Athlete of the Year honor to be feted by the country’s oldest media organization, composed of editors and sportswriters of the different national broadsheets and tabloids when the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night gets going on March 3 at the Manila Hotel along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Marlon Bernardino

'DJANGO' BUSTAMANTE WINS 2012 DERBY CITY CLASSIC FATBOY CHALLENGE; POCKETS $12,000

Philippine billiard icon Francisco "Django" Bustamante is once again at the top of the world as he emerged as the winner of the 2012 Derby City Classic Fatboy 10-Ball Challenge held at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Elizabeth, Indiana, USA late Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Bustamante, one of the top player of Puyat Sports, defeated American Steve Moore with a lopsided, 15-5, victory.

Sportsman/Businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat hailed the victory of Bustamante.

“Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Filipino kababayan (Francisco) Bustamante successfully won the  2012 Derby City Classic Fat Boy 10-Ball Challenge  in Indiana, USA,” he said.

Bustamante held an early 2-0 lead and only a scratch on the 10-ball in rack three kept him from a 3-0 lead. Moore came back to tie the score at 2-2 and was close at 3-4 down before Bustamante found the zone and rolled off nine straight games for an insurmountable 13-3 lead. 

Moore took a break at 13-3 down when Bustamante broke dry, which seemed to take Bustamante out of the zone more than it helped Moore get into the zone. The players swapped racks until the score was 14-5 Bustamante, and Moore threw in the towel after a scratch on the break in the 20th rack. 

Bustamante bested 2012 Derby City Classic Bank Division champion John Morra of Canada, 15-5, in the semi-final round to arrange a titular showdown with Moore who brought downed Alex Pagulayan of the Philippines, 15-12.

He went home with the top prize of US$ 12,000, Moore settled for a runner-up prize of US$ 7,000 while Pagulayan and Morra made good with US$ 3,500 each for reaching the final four. Marlon Bernardino