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-