Orcollo bags Hard Times 10-ball title

FILIPINO Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo topped the 3rd Annual Hard Times 10-Ball Open at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, California, USA yesterday.

Regarded as the best Filipino cue artist today, Orcollo dismantled American Shane “The South Dakota Kid” Van Boening, 11-3, in the one-sided finals.

Orcollo, the former World 8-ball champion, won a total of $8,000 in the $5,000 added tournament.

“I got my confidence after winning against Max (Eberle),” said the reigning Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Athlete of the Year, referring to his 9-2 semifinal win over Eberle.

“I’ve hoped and prayed hard to win this crown for my countrymen as well as my boss Perry and Verna (Mariano) who has been helping me compete abroad,” added Orcollo.

The win was Orcollo’s first major title of the year.

Orcollo will nect compete in the US Open 10-Ball Challenge in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 10 where he will be joined by Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Jose “Amang” Parica, Santos “The Saint” Sambajon, Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica and Danny Petralba. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino