Filipino pool master Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo failed to sustain his momentum as he absorbed a 7-13 loss to eventual champion Shane Van Boening of the United States in the finals of the 37th Annual U.S.Open at the Holiday Inn Virginia Beach – Norfolk Convention Center in Virginia, USA on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).
Earlier, Orcollo, top player of Bugsy Promotions, defeated compatriots Efren “Bata” Reyes, 11-8, and Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, 11-7, in the loser’s brackets to arrange a titular showdown with Van Boening.
The undefeated Van Boening bested Pagulayan, 11-5, for the first final berths in their hot-seat match duel in the winner’s side.
Van Boening pocketed $25,000 while Orcollo went home with the runner-up purse of $15,000.
Pagulayan and Reyes received $10,000 and $6,000 for third and fourth places, respectively.
Other Filipinos who saw action in this tournament were Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Ronato “Volcano” Alcano, Jose “Amang” Parica, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, Carlo “The Black Tiger” Biado, Santos “The Saint” Sambajon, Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica, Israel “Amay” Rota, Daniel Dagotdot and Reynaldo Campana.
The Filipinos’ campaign were backed by Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions, Negros Billiards Stable, Hermes Sports Bar and Malungai.