WORLD POOL MASTERS: DENNIS ORCOLLO FIRST MAN THROUGH TO SEMIS

QUEZON CITY, Philippines---FILIPINO Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo flashed his old fiery form to down Chinese Chang Jung-lin, 8-1, and became the first semi-finalist at the 19th year Party Poker.net World Pool Masters yesterday (Sunday) being held here at the Block Atrium of SM North Edsa Mall.

"I?m focused and feeling pretty confident. I?m just trying to do what I can and I feel really confident at the moment," said the defending champion Orcollo, top player of Perry Mariano's Bugsy Promotions, who is seeking a back-to-back title in this Matchroom Sports organized event which offers $20,000 top prize money and will be aired through Solar Sports.

"I?ve played well against Tony Drago, well against Chang Jung-lin and well here and I definitely have a chance to win the tournament again." added Orcollo, currently world no.1 in the latest World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) ranking list.

The former fisherman from Bislig Surigao del Sur won the opening lag. However, an empty break in the first frame allowing Chang to take the first blood in this race-to-8, winner's break format. Orcollo, also the WPA World 8-ball titlist never looked back winning eight straight racks to advance in the next round.

"Let's hope he (Dennis Orcollo) can sustain his momentum," said his patron, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) co-founder Ceferino "Perry" Mariano.

Orcollo reached the quarterfinals by beating Tony "Tornado" Drago of Malta, 8-2, in the round-of-16 last Saturday.

Earlier, sentimental crowd favorite and hall of famer Efren "Bata" Reyes of the Philippines was yielded to Darren Appleton of England, 8-4, in the afternoon session to joined countryman Francisco "Django" Bustamante in the exit door. Bustamante, two-time World Pool Masters ruler bowed to unheralded Jason Klatt of Canada, 8-3, late Saturday.

In other round-of-16 results were Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza of the Philippines edged reigning World Ten Ball champion Huidji See of the Netherlands, 8-7, Fu Jianbo of China dealt Chris Melling of England, 8-4, and Raj Hundal of India crushed Yukio Akagariyama of Japan, 8-3.