Orcollo Wins US Open One Pocket Title

by Marlon Bernardino

Philippines Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo  is once again at the top of his game after winning the US Open One Pocket Championship 2013 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Monday Manila Time (Sunday in US Time). 

The top player of Bugsy International Promotions Orcollo defeated Derby City One Pocket Champion Corey Deuel of the United States, 5-3, in the finals to run away with the title.

Orcollo jumped to a 2-0 lead in the race-to-five final before Deuel fought back to level at 2-2. Orcollo got his nose in front again 3-2 but the American and former U.S. Open 9 Ball champ battled back to level again at 3-3 count. Deuel made a mistake on his break return in rack seven and allowed Orcollo a quick run to get to the hill at 4-3. 

Rack eight saw Deuel put togeher multiple small runs to take a 7-2 lead in ball count and most fans on the rail were certain we were in store for a hill-hill match. Deuel passed on multiple semi-risky shots that Orcollo baited him with, but it was finally a fairly straight forward safety that spelled the end for Deuel. He left Orcollo a shot with a very tough table and Orcollo ran the final six balls on the table for the 5-3 win and first place.

Sportsman/businessman Ceferino "Perry" Mariano hailed the victory of Orcollo saying it is proof that Filipino players are at par if not the best in the world. “Once again our flag has been raised in the foreign land after our kababayan (Dennis) Orcollo won the US Open One Pocket Championship 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA," Mariano said.

The Filipinos’ campaign in the US pool circuit is supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, Bugsy International Promotions, Puyat Sports, Hermes Sports Bar, Boss Tapa Food and Restaurant, King of Sports Resto Bar and Malungai Life Oil.

Orcollo marched to the finals after blanking Deuel, 4-0, in the Hot Seat Final.

Deuel's trip to the One-Loss side was short as he dealt Carlo " The Black Tiger" Biado his second loss of the tournament, knocking him out via a 3-2 scoreline. That result propelled the Ohioan to the final to force a finals rematch showdown with Orcollo. 

Earlier, Orcollo beat Michael Reddick, 4-1,  Danny Smith, 4-2, L. C. Carter 4-0, Larry Nevel, 4-2, and Chris Bartram, 4-2, of the USA before facing Deuel in the Hot Seat Final  between the only two unbeatens in the field.

The former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur Orcollo earned the top prize of US$7,500, Deuel settled for US$4,800 in second place prize money, Biado takes home US$3,300 while another Pinoy, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, banked US$1,500. Two other Pinoys, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco and Jose "Amang" Parica, also finished in the money, as did Filipino-born and US based Santos "The Saint" Sambajon.

According to billiards/pool commentator Bob Guerrero, one Pocket is a game using all fifteen balls that, as the name suggests, only allows players one pocket, (either of the corner pockets near the foot spot) to pot balls. The first player to pot eight balls wins the rack. It can be a highly tactical game with lots of safety exchanges but oftentimes the best players in the world, once given an opening, can make the eight balls vanish in mere minutes. The discipline is considered to be a fine test of strategic thinking, safety, and pocketing as well. Efren "Bata" Reyes is generally considered to be one of the top One Pocket players in the world; although he was not in Vegas for this event. One-pocket is one of the most stringent tests of excellence in all of pool, as it requires great shot-making skills, bank shot excellence, planning, and patience.