WOW Pinoy

Dennis Orcollo rules Japan 9-Ball Open

Dennis Orcollo continued his hot streak as the reigning world no.1 bested more than 200 cue artist from around the world to win the 2008 Japan 9-Ball Open late March 30,2008 in Tokyo. It was Orcollo's second straight title conquest in a span of one week. He had earlier ruled the San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9Ball Championship March 26,2008 before traveling to the Japanese capital reign in one of the most anticipated tournaments in the billiards calendar.

The 29-year-old stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano murdered veteran Japanese pro player Ryoji Aoki, 9-2, in the finals to bag the title and the two million yen top purse in this two-day competition.

"I'm very happy to win two major tournaments in just one week. I hope that I could sustain this performance," said Orcollo, who also trounced stablemate and former Ronnie Alcano, 9-3, in the semifinals. "my goal is to become a world champion, and I've been working hard for that," he added.

After rallying from 3-1 deficit beat Alcano in the Final Four, Orcollo, whose campaign was also supported by the Billiard Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), waxed even hotter in the title-pocketed the first seven racks to coast to an easy triumph.

"Dennis is really one of the best pool players in the world today, and his winning two big tournaments just a couple of days apart more than justified his status as the current world's top-ranked player," said Mariano.

Orcollo's next stop would be the second leg of the Guinness Asian Tour slated April 2 to 4 in Penang, Malaysia. He will then make his first shot at becoming a world titlist in the 2008 World 8-Ball Championship on April 18 to 25 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, where he is seeded for being the runner-up to Alcano last year.

Almost a dozen other Filipino players competed in the Japan 9-Ball Open. After Orcollo and Alcano, the next best finisher was Japan-based veteran internationalist Roel Esquillo, who made it to the quarterfinals.

Former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Warren Kiamco of Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiards Stable went as far as the Last 16, while defending champion Alex Pagulayan was eliminated in the Round-of-32, along with compatriots Joven Bustamante, Roberto Gomez and Lee Van Corteza. Gandy Valle, Antonio lining and Ramil Gallego were booted out in the Last 64, while Dondon Razalan and Jharome Pena exited in the earlier round.

Dennis Orcollo profile is HERE.

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