Orcollo starts title defense of World Pool

FILIPINO Dennis Orcollo is all fired up for his title defense in the 19th Party Poker World Pool Masters which opens today until Sept. 5 at the SM North Edsa in Quezon City.

Orcollo, the top player of Perry Mariano’s Bugsy Promotions, said that he is confident of retaining his crown. He will face former world pool masters winner Tony “Tornado” Drago of Malta at 12 noon today.

“I’m hoping to defend my title. I need to play hard though because every player in the tournament has a chance to be a champion,” said Orcollo, currently the world’s No.1 billiards player.

Fondly called “Robocop” in pool arena, Orcollo defeated Japanese Toru Kuribayashi, 8-3 in last year’s final played in front of an enthusiastic Las Vegas crowd.

Organized by Matchroom Sports in cooperation with Solar Sports, the tournament offers $20,000 to the winner.

“We have a stronger lineup and I’m confident that we can win the prestigious crown,” said Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) co-founder Perry Mariano.

Other opening matches pit Chang Jung-Lin of Chinese-Taipei vs. Shane Van Boening of the United States, Chris Melling of England vs. Fu Jianbo of China and Yukio Akagariyama of Japan vs. Raj Hundal of India.

Francisco “Django” Bustamante of the Philippines opens his bid for a third world pool masters crown against Jason Klatt of Canada while compatriot Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza is aiming for another title this year after winning the Golden Break Asian Invitational 9-ball last weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Corteza of Davao City will slug it out against Huidji See of the Netherlands, the 2011 World Ten Ball ruler.

On Sunday, Ralf “Kaiser” Souquet of Germany will square off with Mika Immonen of Finland followed by the anticipated showdown between Darren Appleton of England against Filipino billiards hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes.  Correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO