Orcollo, Souquet & Bustamante early favorites in World Pool Masters

MANILA, Philippines - Pool fans in the country can all look forward to watching one of the best pool competitions in the world when the 2011 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters takes place at the SM City North EDSA on Sept. 3 to 5.

There will be 16 entries in the competition the list includes the best pool players in the world. Visiting the Philippines will be Yukio Akagariyama of Japan, Darren Appleton and Chris Melling of England, Chang Jun-Ling of Taiwan, Tony Drago of Malta, Fu Jianbo of China, Rah Jundal of India, Mika Immonen of Finland, Huidji See of Holland, Jason Klatt of Canada, and Ralf Souquet of Germany. The Philippines will be represented by Lee Vann Corteza, Dennis Orcollo, Django Bustamante and Efren “Bata” Reyes. They will compete for the $20,000 top prize from the total purse of $66,000.

The favorites include the defending champion Orcollo, two-time champion Bustamante and five-time champion Souquet. The fans should also keep an eye on Corteza as he is coming off a big win in the recently concluded Malaysian Golden Break 9-Ball Invitational.

World Pool Masters airs on Solar Sports on Sept. 3 to 4 at 12 noon to 10 p.m. and Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Solar Sports is on Sky Cable Ch. 70, Destiny Ch. 35 and Cablelink Ch. 31.