Orcullo rules 8-Ball bash, joins elite cast of Pinoy world pool champs

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Once again, a Filipino world champion. Dennis Orcullo of the Philippines scuttled Neils Feijen of the Netherlands, 10-3, to rule this year’s World 8-Ball Championship at the Fujairah Exhibition Center in Fujairah United Arab Emirates Saturday. By becoming the latest Pinoy world champion, Orcullo joined the illustrious cast of Filipino winners in a world tournament sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association. The other previous Filipino champions are Efren “Bata" Reyes, Ronnie Alcano, Alex Pagulayan, Rubilen Amit and Francisco “Django" Bustamante. Orcullo’s performance in the World 8-Ball event was like a breeze. Except for veteran campaigner Vincent Facquet, whom he fought in a hill-hill encounter in the second phase of Stage 2, the former world No.1 player easily demolished his rivals. He blanked Stephan Cohen, 9-0, whipped former US Open champion Shane Van Boening in their last-16 encounter, 9-4, demolished Takhti Zarekani in the quarterfinals, 9-2, and ripped David Alcaide of Spain in the semis. This time, against another crack player in Feijen, Orcullo continued his surge. The Filipino cue artist won the lag and quickly broke away for an early 5-0 lead. Breaking in the sixth rack, Orcullo scratched the cue ball, giving Feijen an opportunity to make it to the scoring column. Feijen did score, but a dry break in the seventh rack enabled the Filipino a chance to pad the lead even more. But a missed shot by Orcullo on the No. 8 got Feijen back into the game. He won two more racks to inch closer, 3-5. Just when momentum seemed to be going his way, the European player missed on the No. 4 in the ninth rack. From there, it was all Orcullo as he took the next five racks en route to becoming the third Filipino player to win the World 8-Ball crown after Reyes and Alcano. - KY, Rey Joble, GMA News