Orcollo, Alcano in all-Pinoy semis duel in world 9-ball

Dennis Orcollo of the Philippines beat compatriot and defending champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 11-6 in the round-of-16 late Thursday then subdued former world champion Daryl Peach of Great Britain, 11-2 in yesterday’s quarterfinal round to advance to the semifinals of the 2011 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World 9-Ball Championship at the Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.

Orcollo, the reigning WPA World 8-ball champion and top player of Perry Mariano’s Bugsy Promotions arranged an all-Filipino semifinal duel against compatriot Ronato “Volcano” Alcano who tripped Chang Yu Lun of Chinese-Taipei, 11-9 in the Last 16 and Toru Kuribayashi of Japan, 11-10 in the quarters.

Orcollo is aiming to replicate the feat of Alcano and Hall of Famer Efren “Bata” Reyes of winning both the World 9-ball and 8-ball crown.

“Gusto ko talagang maging double world champion sa WPA. Hope manalo ako kay Ronnie (Alcano),” Orcollo said. “Pero kung hindi man ako palarin kay Ronnie (Alcano) hope siya ang mag champion dito sa Doha para sa karangalan ng bansa natin,” he added.

Reyes won the WPA World 9-ball in Cardiff, Wales in 1999 then captured WPA World 8-ball tiara in 2004 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

Alcano, meantime bagged the WPA World 9-ball crown in Manila in 2006 and topped the WPA World 8-ball competition in 2007 in Fujairah.

Earlier, Orcollo ousted another Filipino bet Villamor Caneda, 11-6, in the round-of-32 while Alcano nipped Raj Hundal of Great Britain, 11-9.

Completing the final four were Mark Gray of Great Britain and Yukio Akakariyama of Japan.

Gray squeaked past fellow Briton Chris Melling, 11-10, in the round-of-32, Filipino Antonio Gabica, 11-5, in the round-of-16 and American Shane Van Boening, 11-9 in the quarterfinals.

Akakariyama crushed Croatian Carlo Dalmatin, 11-8 and Pinoys Carlo Biado, 11-9 and Vicenancio Tanio, 11-10.

The event stakes $250,000 in cash with the winner getting $36,000.