Orcullo opens World Pool title defense with win over Drago

Dennis Orcullo opened his World Pool Masters title defense with an 8-2 win over Tony Drago of Malta Saturday at the SM North Edsa in Quezon City. Orcollo muffed an easy eight-ball to give Drago the opening rack but the Filipino won six straight to pull away. Drago made it 6-2 but Orcollo moved to the hill after his opponent had a dry break in the 10th game leading to the win. Orcollo said that he wanted an impressive start in the 16-player, knockout format tournament, "There is much pressure as I want to win this tournament." "It's really hard to win your first match and I'm just thankful for the support from the fans," said Orcollo in an interview posted on the Matchroom Sport website. Orcollo is aiming to become the first back-to-back champion in the 18 editions of the tournament. "No one has won this event back-to-back and I have a chance, I just need more luck." Orcollo will next face Chang Jung-Ling in the quarterfinals as the Taiwanese defeated Shane Van Boening of the United States, 8-3. Francisco "Django" Bustamante, however, wasn't lucky and bowed to Jason Klatt of Canada, 8-4. The breaks didn't go Bustamante's way as he missed a lot of easy shots that culminated when he scratched the 12th and final rack. - Reuben Terrado/JVP, GMA News