Orcollo opens World Pool Masters defense vs Drago

MANILA, Philippines - Dennis Orcollo kicks off his title-retention bid in the World Pool Masters, which features the current and recent world champions, as he slugs it out with Malta’s Tony Drago, the 2003 champion, in the opener of the $66,000 event on Sept. 3 at SM City North EDSA Mall.

Orcollo heads the crack four-man Phl roster in the three-day event offering a top purse of $20,000 with Francisco “Django” Bustamante taking on Canada’s Jason Klatt, Lee Vann Corteza clashing with the Netherlands’ Huidji See and pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes battling it out with US Open champion Darren Appleton of England.

A total of 16 world-class players will vie for one of pool’s longest standing invitational events, a race-to-8 winner’s break format with all matches to be aired live on Solar Sports.

In a clash of European champions, Germany’s Ralf Souquet collides with Finland’s Mika Immonen.

Matchroom Sport TV will subsequently produce 15 x 1 hour highlight shows for global distribution.

“I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the strongest fields ever assembled for the Masters. There will be no easy matches and every player here is a champion,” said Matchroom Sport chair Barry Hearn.

“With only 16 players we have tried to assemble the toughest field possible given the geographical spread required,” he added.

Also in the fold are American Shane Van Boening, Chris Melling of England, Raj Hundal of India, Chinese Fu Jianbo, Yukio Akaariyama of Japan and Chang Jung-jin of Taiwan.

The event actually serves as tune-up for the World Cup of Pool slated Sept. 6-11, also at SM North EDSA.

A total of 32 teams from 31 nations will compete in the $250,000 event, the No.1 team championship in world pool, with Jianbo and Li Hewen of China seeking a third win in five years.

As host, the Philippines will field in two teams with Orcollo and former double world champion Ronnie Alcano composing Phl A and Reyes and Bustamante making up Phl B.