Orcollo nips Bata, earns Asiad slot

Source: Manila Bulletin
Dennis Orcollo beat Efren “Bata” Reyes in a gripping finale, 13-12, to earn a spot in the Philippine team to the Guangzhou Asian Games during the qualifying tournament held at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center last Wednesday in Malate, Manila.

With his win over the sport’s icon, Orcollo will take the place of Antonio Gabica in the 9-ball team.

Gabica won’t defend his crown he won four years ago in Doha, Qatar as he is now employed in Kuwait where he’s reportedly getting a salary of $3,000 per month.

Billiards accounted for one of the four gold medals won by the country during the Doha Games.

Boxing produced two courtesy of Joan Tipon and Violito Payla and wushu bet Rene Catalan.

Also earning a slot in the RP team was Roberto Gomez, who beat Orcollo, 13-11, in the 8-Ball competition.

“Right now, I feel we can win gold medals in the billiards competitions. We're strong in the men's 8-ball and 9-ball events and we can surprise our rivals in women's billiards," said Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, manager of both Orcollo and Gomez.

The other members of the team will be known when the next qualifying tournament is held on Monday.