Valle thwarts Orcollo for Villar crown

Gandy Valle trounced two of the most revered names in local pool, including current world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 11-5, yesterday to capture the first Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu leg crown before a jampacked crowd at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.

The 31-year-old Valle, a former Asian Games gold medalist, pounced on Orcollo’s missed shot on the blue-2 in the 12th frame to string five straight racks and turn a shaky 6-5 lead into a title romp.

“It’s been so long since I won a major title and I’m very happy and proud to finally win a tournament this big,” said Valle, who copped the top P400,000 prize staked in the tournament presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

Orcollo, who earlier won the Quezon City 9-ball Championship and the All-Japan Open, settled the runner-up honors.

In the semis, Valle defeated reigning World Pool Masters champion and former world 9-ball winner Alex Pagulayan, 9-4.

Valle, a semifinalist in the opening leg of this island-hopping series last month in StarMall Alabang, advanced to the finals despite losing his opening round match against obscure Manolo Tanasas, 3-9. He bounced back from the losers’ bracket by beating former world juniors campaigner Rene Mar David, 9-5, and Jharome Peña, 9-5, to advance into the knockout stage.

He then disposed of hometown bet Achilles Navarra, 9-1, thwarted Mike Takayama, 9-7, before beating Carlo Biado, 9-4, to set up a semis clash with Pagulayan, who he had not beaten in four meetings.

Orcollo, on the other hand, had a relatively easy path to the championship of the event, sponsored by Camella Communities and backed by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable. He demolished Davao qualifier Danny Otacan, 9-2, slipped past Ricky Zerna, downed John Rebong, 9-4, Jech Limen, 9-5, and reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza, 9-3.