Orcullo books semis in US World Pool

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino Dennis Orcullo surged past Canadian John Morra with an 8-3 victory on his way to the semifinal round where a possible showdown with compatriot Roberto Gomez is in the works in the 2010 Party Poker World Pool Masters at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Orcullo took a 4-0 lead before Morra reduced the gap to 4-2. The Filipino took the next rack but the Canadian fought back to trim the lead to 5-3 before Orcullo sealed the game by taking the next three racks.

It will be an all-Filipino semifinal if Gomez defeated Ralf Souquet of Germany in the other quarterfinal match being held at presstime.

Earlier, Gomez, the 2007 World Pool finalist, defeated Jayson Shaw (8-3) of the US in the Last 16 to meet Souquet, who brought downed Ricky Yang of Indonesia (8-6).