Orcullo foregoes int’l stints, joins SEAG team

Setting national pride as his priority, 2005 RP 9-Ball Open runner-up Dennis Orcullo yesterday opted to forego his participation in various international tournaments next month to represent the country in the billiards event of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games set Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

Ernesto Fajardo, president of the Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), tapped Orcullo for the RP team the other night after the 26-year-old and 2004 Kansai Open champion placed second in the P1.3M RP 9-Ball Open won by Francisco "Django" Bustamante.

"’It’s been his dream to be a member of the RP team and when it was offered to him he readily accepted it," said in Filipino by Perry Mariano, who supports the Surigao native in his campaign in the local and international tournaments.

"It’s nice of him to forego his foreign stints, particularly in the rich Japan tournaments," he added.

"I was called to serve the country so it is just right to do so," Orcullo said in Filipino. "Besides, it’s an honor to don the national colors and I’m sure there will always be tournaments for me abroad."

With his decision, Orcullo, backed by Solar Sports, cancelled his trip to Japan where he is set to join the prestigious All-Japan Open and MITZ event in Osaka in time for the biennial meet.

Orcullo was not included in the 10-man RP squad announced earlier by the BSCP. The team’s line-up and strength was depleted with the withdrawal of Efren "Bata" Reyes, Marlon Manalo and Bustamante.

The trio was reportedly inclined to compete in the King of the Hill tournament in the United States set in November through December. The tourney offers a whooping $200,000 purse for the champion.

The country’s campaign in the SEAG now rests on the shoulder of Orcullo, Antonio Gabica and Ronnie Alcano.

Gabica was the 2004 RP Open champion and a quarterfinalist in this year’s edition. Alcano was the 2005 Asian Tour Manila leg champion, who lost to Orcullo in the semifinals of the RP Open.