RP foils Norway, makes quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Dennis Orcullo trounced Tommy Wolf, 7-1, in 10-ball as Team Philippines pulled off a 4-2 win over Norway to advance to the quarterfinal round of the World Team Pool Cup Championship at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds in Hannover, Germany Thursday.

The RP bets swept the 8-ball Scotch Doubles competitions behind the pairs of Ronnie Alcano and Marlon Manalo and Lee Vann Corteza and Warren Kiamco.

Alcano then scored a 8-2 rout over Vegar Kristiansen in the 9-ball to give RP a 3-0 cushion in the race-to-four affair.

Norway, however, bounced back with Malvin Bjelland beating Antonio Lining in the 9-ball and Mats Schjetne prevailing over Corteza in the 10-ball for a 3-2 RP lead.

But Orcullo took over and frustrated Norway’s bid to tie the match, stamping his class over Wolf to secure the victory.

Team RP will next face Poland for a berth in the semis of the inaugural event which offers $100,000 to the winning team.

Joining RP in the Last 8 are Russia, Germany II, Great Britain, China, Switzerland and Greece.