Valle thwarts Orcollo for Villar crown
Gandy Valle trounced two of the most revered names in local pool, including current world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 11-5, yesterday to capture the first Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu leg crown before a jampacked crowd at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.
The 31-year-old Valle, a former Asian Games gold medalist, pounced on Orcollo’s missed shot on the blue-2 in the 12th frame to string five straight racks and turn a shaky 6-5 lead into a title romp.
“It’s been so long since I won a major title and I’m very happy and proud to finally win a tournament this big,” said Valle, who copped the top P400,000 prize staked in the tournament presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).
Orcollo, who earlier won the
In the semis, Valle defeated reigning World Pool Masters champion and former world 9-ball winner Alex Pagulayan, 9-4.
Valle, a semifinalist in the opening leg of this island-hopping series last month in StarMall Alabang, advanced to the finals despite losing his opening round match against obscure Manolo Tanasas, 3-9. He bounced back from the losers’ bracket by beating former world juniors campaigner Rene Mar David, 9-5, and Jharome Peña, 9-5, to advance into the knockout stage.
He then disposed of hometown bet Achilles Navarra, 9-1, thwarted Mike Takayama, 9-7, before beating Carlo Biado, 9-4, to set up a semis clash with Pagulayan, who he had not beaten in four meetings.
Orcollo, on the other hand, had a relatively easy path to the championship of the event, sponsored by Camella Communities and backed by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable. He demolished
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