Wednesday, September 18, 2013

London, UK: Orcullo-Corteza rips Croatian duo in World Cup of Pool Opener


by Marlon Bernardino

Manila, Philippines---FILIPINO cue masters Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza opened their bid in a high note in the 888.com World Cup of Pool 2013 being held at the York Hall, in Bethnal Green in London, United Kingdom.

The Filipino duo nipped the tandem of Ivica Putnik and Karlo Dalmatin of Croatia, 7-4, late Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila Time).

The Philippines now meets either Poland or Singapore.

Last year's finalists Poland made up by Karol Skowerski and Woijciech Szewcyk will face Aloysius Yapp and Chang Keng Kwang of Singapore. Poland this time has replace the service of Tomas Kaplan and Radoslaw Babica.

The no.6 seed Philippines took commanding 5-2 lead before Putnik and Dalmatin tallied one rack to close the match at 5-3 count. However, the Philippines reach the hill, 6-3. Croatia  won another rack before the Philippines won the 11th frame for the 7-4 final score.

It shall be recalled that Orcullo and Corteza teaming up for the first time in last year's World Cup of Pool, however was beaten by Switzerland's Dimitri Jungo and Fil-Swiss Ronnie Regli in the first round when the event was held in Robinson's Place Manila.

Last year's champion, Mika Immonen and Petri Makkonen of Finland, also made it to the next round by subduing the pair of Jasmin Ouschan and her brother Albin, 7-2, for Austria. They are the first team of siblings in the competition since Ko Pin Yi and Ko Ping Chung of Chinese Taipei reached the semifinals two years ago.

The winning team will receive US$60,000 out of a purse of US$250,000. 

In other results, Germany beat Malta,  South Korea nipped Estonia and the Netherlands blasted Scotland.

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