Orcollo cops 10-Ball crown in Las Vegas

MANILA, Philippines - Dennis Orcollo humbled compatriots Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan to capture the US Open 10-Ball crown at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Saturday.

Orcollo nipped Pagulayan, 9-8, in the semifinal round them outplayed Bustamante in the final, 11-5, to pocket the crown and the top $15,000 purse.

Bustamante settled for $8,500.

On his way to the finals, Orcollo, last year’s winner of the world 8-ball crown, trounced Oscar Dominguez of Mexico, Kostas Paspatis of Greece, Mike Dechaine and Manny Chau of USA and Rain Chiang of Taiwan, respectively.

Orcollo’s US Open win came on the heels of his victory in the Annual Hard Times 10-ball Open in California where he beat Shane Van Boening of the US, 11-3, for the crown last May 6.

The victory likewise augurs well for Orcollo’s title drive in the upcoming World 9-Ball Championship slated June 22-29 the Al Sadd Sports Club Al Sadd St. Sport Roundabout in Doha, Qatar.

The former world No. 1 is also set to team up with Bustamante, Efren “Bata” Reyes and former World Women’s 10-ball champion Rubilen Amit in the World Team Cup set June 30-July 6 in China.