Orcollo-Yang rematch touches off pool duels

MANILA, Philippines - The rematch between pool ace Dennis Orcollo and Taiwanese Yang Ching-shun make up the first in a series of monthly blockbuster duels pitting Filipino cue artists against their international counterparts.

Orcollo and Yang clash on Sept. 8 in the match dubbed `Face Off Series 2 - One More Time at the newly opened Club Capo in Tomas Morato, which sports patron Perry Mariano of Bugsy Promotions hopes to turn into the country’s new pool haven.

After the race-to-50 10-ball match, other showdowns lined up include legendary Efren “Bata” Reyes against Chao Fong-Pang in the last week of October, the battle between former world champions Ronnie Alcano and Germany’s Ralf Souquet and a return bout between 2007 World Pool 9-Ball champion Darryl Peach and runner-up Roberto Gomez.

Likewise on the list is the RP vs. The Rest of the World match up in December and possibly, the Efren “Bata” Cup at the start of 2010 where a total prize of $500,000 will be at stake.

“These are all great matches that shouldn’t be missed by Filipino billiard fans,” said Mariano in the weekly PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch.

Owing to a prior commitment, Orcollo, acknowledged as the country’s money-game king, failed to join Mariano in the session but nonetheless expressed his desire to get even with Yang through his manager.

Yang, a former Asian Games gold medalist, defeated Orcollo in their first marathon match, a race-to-60 challenge held at the Gateway Mall in Quezon City two years ago.

Also at stake in the one-day meet is the top prize worth $10,000.