Orcullo, Corteza barge into WTBC’s round-of-64

(Updated 8:30 p.m.) Two of the country’s best hopes have already secured a seat in the knockout round-of-64 of the second World Ten Ball Championship along with defending champion Darren Appleton of Britain after Thursday’s Day 2 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Lee Van Corteza displayed flawless shotmaking while Dennis Orcullo prevailed as expected as the two veteran campaigners stayed right in target on their goal to bring the title to the Philippines. Corteza shut out Asian money-game king Yang Ching-Shun of Chinese-Taipei, 9-0, to move into the next level of the tournament sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association. Corteza’s ploy was plain and simple – to keep his rival on his seat most of the time in a match that lasted for only about an hour. Yang was the first one to break, but couldn’t get a good opening, allowing Corteza to rack up a 3-0 lead. As the match turned into a battle of safety shots, it was Corteza who always got the better at the other end. “First time kong na-zero si Yang," said Corteza, a many-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games. “Ilang beses na kaming nagkaharap pero natiyempuhan ko siya na hindi maganda ang araw niya. Ganyan naman talaga ang bilyar eh, minsan maski yung magagaling kapag inabot ng malas, talagang matatalo." Orcullo’s win was likewise impressive. Ruler of the 2009 Predator 10-Ball tournament, Orcullo beat Thomas Kaplan of Poland, 9-5, to advance into the next stage of the only world pool championship for men this year. Many were impressed with Orcullo’s game except the player himself. “Parehas hindi maganda ang laro ko," said Orcullo, referring to his victories over Kaplan Thursday and Steve Villamil (9-6) the previous day.“Medyo naninibago ako, kasi sobrang ganda ng tapete. Pero masasanay din tayo." Orcullo will have his rest day Friday but plunges back to action on Saturday against Kuo Po-Cheng of Chinese-Taipei. Kuo had a relatively easy time against Filipino Mario Tolentino, 9-4, sending the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) to the loser’s bracket of this tournament. The two Pinoys will march to the round-of-64 where they will be awaited by Appleton, who is determined to retain his title. Out to prove to that his title conquest last year was no fluke, Appleton scuttled a first-time participant, MB Alias of Brunei, 9-2, in a game he dominated from start to finish. “I feel more comfortable now. I’m six victories away from defending the crown, but I know it won’t be easy. There’s a lot pressure building up game by game," said Appleton. Dang Jin Hu of China, a player who made it to the main draw via the qualifying stage, was surprisingly one of those who booked an early seat to the knockout stage. The Chinese sensation upset two-time world champion Johnny Archer of the United States, 9-5. Also notching a win was Ralf Souquet of Germany. The world’s top-ranked player ran roughshod over Villamil, 9-3, in their loser’s bracket match. Souquet came off a stinging upset loss to Kaplan on opening day. While the big guns in pool have already secured a seat in the round-of-64, a highly-touted player crashed out of the tournament early – former US Open champion Shane Van Boening of the United States. Van Boening lost to Konstantin Stepanov of Russia, 6-9, a day after losing his opening match to Nguyen Anh Tuan of Vietnam, 8-9. Demosthenes Pulpul, the last Filipino standing in last year’s WTBC, was one of those to get the early exit door this time. Pulpul was defeated by double world champion and fellow Filipino Ronnie Alcano, 9-5, in the loser’s bracket. Another top favorite, Mika Immonen of Finland, also suffered a surprised setback at the hands of Hayato Hijikata of Japan, 6-9. Even reigning World 9-Ball champion Daryl Peach of Great Britain didn’t escape the upset ax. He was stunned by Mexican Oscar Dominguez, 5-9, and was relegated to the loser’s bracket. Another Filipino player became a casualty in Day Two as Victor Arpilleda lost in a tightly-fought match against Kasper Kristoffersen of Denmark, 9-7. - GMANews.TV