Manila, Philippines – Dennis Orcollo dispatched compatriot Raymond Faraon, 9-2, on Tuesday night to earn a place in the knockout stage of the World 9-Ball Championship at the Al Saad Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.
Unfazed by the prospect of getting the early boot in the tournament, Orcollo dominated the Middle East-based Faraon to become one of the last five Filipinos to reach the next phase.
Marlon Caneda defeated Ceri Worts of New Zealand, 9-3, Israel Rota downed South African David Anderson, 9-7, Joven Alba repulsed Nayf Abdel Afou of Jordan, 9-5, and Elvin Calasang trounced Abdul Rahman Al Amar of Saudi Arabia, 9-7.
13 Filipinos, led by former champions Efren “Bata” Reyes, Django Bustamante and Ronnie Alcano, made it to the Round-of-64 which began at presstime. The only casualties were Ramil Gallego, Faraon and Loyme Vicente, who fell in the loser’s bracket.
Orcollo’s rollercoaster campaign in the group stage began with a 9-6 victory over Ali Saeed Alsuwaidi of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
The following day, Orcollo was dismantled by Hong Kong’s Andrew Kong, 9-5, to fall into the loser’s bracket and a do-or-die clash with Faraon.
Ironically, Orcollo is facing Kong in the Round-of-64 at presstime with a chance to avenge that aforementioned defeat.
Reyes is playing Singapore’s Lian Han Toh, Alcano is battling compatriot Jundel Mazon while Bustamante is clashing with 2000 champion Fong-Pang Chao of Taiwan in other notable duels that were being played yesterday. (Jonas Terrado)
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