Orcollo smells victory, routs Chang

MANILA, Philippines - Two wins away from successfully defending his World Pool Masters crown, world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo already sensed he could do it.

“I can smell it now,” said Orcollo after thrashing Chinese Taipei’s Chang Jung-lin, 8-1, yesterday to nail the first berth in the 2011 World Pool Masters semifinal round.

Prodded on by the cheering hometown crowd at the Block Atrium in SM North EDSA Mall, the Bislig, Surigao hotshot flashed a near perfect game as he bundled out Chang to make the Final Four against the winner of the Fun Jianbo-Jason Klatt duel.

Another Filipino bet – Lee Van Corteza – remains in contention in the lower bracket. He was to play German Ralf Souquet later in the night.

Orcollo thrilled the crowd after Englishman Darren Appleton displeased them with his 8-5 conquest of No. 1 Filipino pool idol Efren “Bata” Reyes.

On Saturday night, Francisco “Django” Bustamante also fell by the wayside, bowing to Klatt, 4-8.

“At 57 years old for Efren to still play at that level is amazing. Twenty years ago, I would never have won that match,” said Appleton after topping Reyes.

“It’s an honor to play him and a dream to beat him, but I would’ve loved to have played him in his prime,” added Appleton, taking a shot at the semis versus Indian Raj Hundal.

Orcollo hardly gave Chang a chance to win their match.

Despite three foul breaks, Orcollo jumped ahead, 4-1, and rolled on with razor-sharp pocketing.

“I’m now looking forward to my next match. I hope to have some more luck and I will give it my best shots,” said Orcollo, inspired by the presence of his wife and children in the gallery.

So amazing was Orcollo in his quarters match that he made difficult shots look easy.

He highlighted his clinical rout of his Taiwanese foe with an awesome jump shot followed by a carom to take the fifth rack.

Everything went Orcollo’s way from there on.

He won a battle of safeties to make it 5-1 and finished off Chang with three successive run-outs.