MANILA, Philippines - Dennis Orcollo quelled a last-ditch effot by American Corey Deuel to win the US Open One Pocket Championship, 5-3, and claim the top prize of $7,500 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Sunday (Monday in Manila).
Orcollo jumped to a 2-0 lead in the race-to-five final before Deuel, the Derby City One Pocket champion, fought back to level at 2-2. Orcollo regained the lead but the American and former US Open 9-Ball champ battled back to level again at 3-3.
Deuel made a mistake on his break return in rack seven and allowed Orcollo a quick run to get to the hill at 4-3.
On the eighth rack, Deuel put together multiple small runs to take a 7-2 lead in ball count and most fans were certain the match was headed for hill-hill.
Deuel passed on multiple semi-risky shots that Orcollo baited him with, but it was finally a fairly straight forward safety that spelled the end for Deuel.
He left Orcollo a shot with a very tough table and Orcollo ran the final six balls on the table for the 5-3 win. Deuel settled for $4,800.
The Filipinos’ campaign in the US pool circuit is supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, Bugsy International Promotions, Puyat Sports, Hermes Sports Bar, Boss Tapa Food and Restaurant, King of Sports Resto Bar and Malungai Life Oil.
Orcollo marched to the finals after blanking Deuel, 4-0, in the Hot Seat Final.
Deuel’s trip to the One-Loss side was short as he dealt Carlo Biado his second loss of the tournament, 3-2, putting him in the finals against Orcollo.
Earlier, Orcollo beat Michael Reddick, 4-1, Danny Smith, 4-2, L. C. Carter 4-0, Larry Nevel, 4-2, and Chris Bartram, 4-2.
Biado takes home US$3,300 while another Pinoy, Francisco “Django†Bustamante, banked US$1,500.
Two other Pinoys – Warren Kiamco and Jose “Amang†Parica – also finished in the money, as did Filipino-born and US based Santos Sambajon.
According to billiards-pool commentator Bob Guerrero, one Pocket is a game using all 15 balls that, as the name suggests, only allows players one pocket (either of the corner pockets near the foot spot) to pot balls. The first player to pot eight balls wins the rack. It can be a highly tactical game with lots of safety exchanges but oftentimes the best players in the world, once given an opening, can make the eight balls vanish in mere minutes.
The discipline is considered to be a fine test of strategic thinking, safety, and pocketing as well. Efren “Bata†Reyes is generally considered to be one of the top One Pocket players in the world; although he was not in Vegas for this event. One-pocket is one of the most stringent tests of excellence in all of pool, as it requires great shot-making skills, bank shot excellence, planning, and patience.