Monday, November 13, 2006 Orcollo nears pool title; Immonen, Chamat lose By Jaime A. Frias II Sun.Star Correspondent
FORMER champion Dennis Orcollo advanced to the 2006 Sun.Star Superbalita International 9-Ball Challenge finals, after prevailing over Carlo Biado, 10-9, in last night’s semifinal match that will be remembered for its comedy of errors, at the SM Cebu Trade Hall.
From a seesaw match that went to a nine-all deadlock in the 18th rack, the 27-year-old Orcollo, a native of Surigao City, heaved a sigh of relief after converting Biado's error shot of the eight in the corner pocket and came up with a sufficient angle shot with the nine ball to seal the deciding last rack.
Before wrapping up the last rack, Orcollo, who defeated Jeffrey Tacbas in the round of 16 and Robert Abcheta in the round of eight, had two forced error shots in the last rack, giving the 23-year-old Biado the chance to clean up the table for a win.
Biado missed both chances.
He bungled the five in the side pocket but regained ball possession after Orcollo scratched the cue ball that went to the corner pocket, after pocketing the five at the side.
Waiting for a miracle
"Wala sa akong huna-huna katong tira pag-pektos nako og ayo para preparasyon sa siyete (I didn’t expect the scratch ball from a spin in preparation for the seven ball)," Orcollo explained.
While sitting tight at his chair for a miracle to happen, Orcollo's prayer was answered, and threw his white towel out of sheer relief, after Biado bungled the eight.
"Na-nervous ako doon. Na-pressure kasi ako eh. Nakatingin palagi ako sa preparasyon para nuwebe at nanigas pa ang kamay ko (I got nervous because of pressure. I was always thinking about preparing for the nine ball and my hands went stiff)," said Biado, who had knocked out European champion Marcus "Napoloen" Chamat of Sweden in another thriller in the round of eight yesterday.
Orcollo will face the winner between fellow former Sun.Star Superbalita champion Antonio "Gaga" Gabica and Roland Garcia of Pampanga in the finals.
From losers’ bracket
Before reaching the final four, Garcia, coming from the losers’ bracket in the elimination phase before qualifying to the round of 16, booted out former World Pool Champion Mika "The Iceman" Immonen of Finland, 9-5.
"He had a lot of errors and at the same time I got a lot of luck with the balls," said Garcia before facing Gabica in the semifinals. "I also felt happy about the victory over the World Champion."
Earlier, Immonen knocked out Cebu's Warren Kiamco, 9-4, in the round of 16.
