MANILA -- Taking a cue from newly-crowned WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr., Filipino billiard icons Efren "Bata" Reyes and Dennis 'Robocop" Orcollo easily downed their respective rivals at the start of the World 8-Ball Pool Championship 2010 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, yesterday.

Orcollo smashed Mazen Berjawi, 7-3, in Group 1, while Reyes brought down Shaker Wahdaw, 7-3, to set up an early rivalry between the favorite Filipino pool wizards.

The winner of the Orcollo-Reyes match goes up against the survivor of Antonio Lining and Jepthant Palencia battle.

Lining downed countryman Joyme Vicente, 7-0, while Palencia nipped Andrew Kong, 7-4.

"I was lucky to have a good start," said Orcollo who is being supported by Malunggay Oil, Accel Sportswear and Hermes Sports.

“I believe we stand a good chance to win the World 8-Ball crown, considering that our players have been dominating the international tournament in the past events,” said Ceferino "Perry" Mariano, the president of Bugsy Promotions and also the founder of National Collegiate Billiards League (NCBL) or B-League.

Other Filipino Day 1 winners are Francisco Bustamante and Joven Alba. Bustamante defeated Carlos Cabello, 7-4, in Group 2 while Alba dealt Sascha Andrej Tege, 7-5, in Group 4.

However, their compatriots were not as lucky. Jeffrey de Luna bowed to Khaled Al Mutari, 7-5, in Group 5, Joven Bustamante yielded to Daryl Peach of Great Britain, 7-6, in Group 2 and Paul Ortega surrendered to Jun Lin Chang, 7-0, in Group 4.*PNA

back to top

SeaOil-NBTC Elite League Bacolod City leg launched
Softball exec hits DECS Bacolod
Reyes, Orcollo win openers in 8-Ball