Pinoys off to flying start in World 10-ball tourney

CEBU, Philippines - World No.7 Dennis 'Robocop' Orcollo led 17 other Pinoy cue masters, including three Cebuanos in Warren Kiamco, Antonio 'Gaga' Gabica, and wildcard entry Anton Raga, who got off to rousing starts in the cash-rich 2015 MP Cup World 10-ball Championship in General Santos City.

Orcollo was pushed the limit before fending off fellow countryman Oliver Medenilla, 9-8, while Kiamco also had to pass through the winger before beating compatriot Raymart Comomt in a 9-8 cliffhanger.

On the other hand, Raga, who is backed up by the Cebu City Sports Commission through the efforts of commissioner Lorenzo 'Chao' Sy, and Gabica, had little trouble in posting similar 9-3 victories over David Renemar and Lui Haitao of China, respectively.

The legendary Francisco 'Django' Bustamante, Lee Vann Corteza, Alex Pagulayan, Carlo Biado, Roberto Gomez and Raymund Faraon also joined the winners' circle.

Bustamante dispatched Chen Hsin Ting of Chinese-Taipei, 9-2, Corteza subdued Muhammad Zulfikri of Indonesia, 9-2, Pagulayan prevailed over Cheng Yu Hsuan of Chinese-Taipei, 9-3, Biado edged Ryan Maglasang, 9-4, Gomez upended Roland de la Cruz, 9-3, while Faraon bested Kamal Chawla of India, 9-4.

The other triumphant Pinoys during Day 1 of the week-long tournament were Ramil Gallego, Baseth Mapandi, William Millares, James Aranaz, Roland Garcia, Richard Alinsub, Elmer Haya, Mark Rodriguez, and Michael Feliciano.

Gallego ripped Vincent Goh of Australia, 9-2, Mapandi and Millares eased past fellow Pinoys Patrick Gonzales and Val Pauay both via 9-6 decision,  Aranaz stunned Rodney Morris of the United States, 9-6, Garcia outlasted Babken Melkonyan of Romania, 9-7, Alinsub defeated Marc Bijsterbosch of the Netherlands, 9-6, Haya nipped Muhammad Bewi of Indonesia, 9-7, while Rodriguez and Feliciano beat Romero Silvano and Konstantine Stepanov of Russia, 9-7.

They all need one more win to advance into the money round or the last 64 knockout stage.

Sanctioned by the World Pool Association and supported by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, the tournament that gathers the best billiards players on the planet offers $40,000 (P1.76 million) to the champion, with the runner up getting $20,000. (FREEMAN)