DEFENDING champion Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo of the Philippines reached the 19th Party Poker.net World Pool Masters championship round yesterday by crushing Fu Jian Bo of China, 8-4, at the Block Atrium of SM North Edsa Mall.
Orcollo’s win gained for the top player of Perry Mariano’s Bugsy Promotions some measure of revenge having lost to the Chinese ace in the China Open and Challenge of Champions tournaments.
Fu, while trailing 4-7, suffered a scratch in the 12th frame allowing Orcollo to clean up the table and snatch the all-important win.
Orcollo, the reigning World 8-ball champion raced to 4-0 and 6-1 leads in the race-to-8, winner’s break format tournament and never gave his rival any opportunity to mount a challenge.
“Talagang inunahan ko agad siya, tinalo niya kasi ako sa China Open at sa Challenge of Champion. Ang hirap maghabol kasi masyadong maisksi ang laro tapus winner’s break format pa,” said Orcollo, who is seeking to be the first player to win back-to-back World Pool Masters crowns.
Orcollo, the former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur will next face the winner of the other semifinal match between Darren Appleton of England and Ralf Souquet of Germany which is still being played as of presstime yesterday.
On the road to the semifinal, Orcollo crushed Tony Drago of Malta, 8-2, and Chang Jung-lin of Taiwan, 8-1, while Fu scored similar 8-5, victories over Chris Melling of England and Jason Klatt of Canada.
The tournament, which has a total prize pot of $66,000 will award $20,000 to the champion.