Orcollo enters World Pool Masters semis

MANILA, Philippines – Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo booked his seat in the semifinals of the 2010 Party Poker World Pool Masters after defeating John Morra of Canada at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.




Orcollo, who scored the 8-3 victory on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), jumped to a 4-0 lead in the $100,000 total pot prize event.
“Medyo maganda po ang simula ng laro at nakauna ako sa kaniya (John Morra). Ang hirap kasi humabol tapos winner’s break pa ang format at masyadong maikli ang race-to-8. ” said Orcollo.
He is set to face countryman and fellow Bugsy Promotions player Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez or German Ralf “Kaiser” Souquet, the World 9-ball and World 8-Ball champion.
“Sana manalo si Gomez kay Souquet para tiyak may isang Filipino sa finals,” added Orcollo, whose stint was bankrolled by husband and wife tandem Perry and Verna Mariano of Bugsy Promotions.
Gomez defeated Jayson Shaw, 8-3, of the United States in the Last 16 to arrange a showdown with Souquet, who defeated Ricky Yang of Indonesia, 8-6.
“Bagama’t mabigat na kalaban si Souquet, gagawin ko ang aking best na manalo at makuha ang kampeonato para sa bansang Pilipinas,” said Gomez.
According to Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica, the spokesman of the Filipino cue artists in the Las Vegas event, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan failed to participate in the tournament proper as well as Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo after having sore eyes.
Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, on the other hand, lost in the qualification tournament while Hall of Famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Ronnie “Volcano” Alcano failed to advance into the knockout stage. – by Marlon Bernardino