Orcollo reigns in Hard Times

MANILA, Philippines - Dennis Orcollo dismantled Shane Van Boening of the US, 11-3, and bagged the third Annual Hard Times 10-Ball Open crown and the champion’s purse of $8,000 in Bellflower, California Sunday night.

Orcollo, the former world 8-ball champion, proved unstoppable once he got going in the winners’ break, race-to-11 format.

“I got my confidence after winning against Max (Eberle),” said the Philippine Sportswriter Association (PSA) Athlete of the Year, who defeated Eberle, 9-2, in the semifinal.

“I’ve hoped and prayed hard enough to win this crown for my countrymen,” added Orcollo.

It was his first major title this year after winning the gold medal in the last Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

Orcollo’s next tournament is the US Open 10-Ball Challenge in Las Vegas May 10. Joining him are Django Bustamante, Amang Parica, Santos Sambajon, Ramon Mistica and Danny Petralba.