Orcollo cops 10-ball title

I didn’t expect that I would win because my foe was so good

I struggled, especially in making breaks. But I focused on my goal, which is to win.

Dennis Orcollo gamely challenged Do The Kien of Vietnam to an exciting game of grit and strategy before eking out a 9-8 win to clinch the gold medal in the men’s 10-ball singles of the 30th Southeast Asian Games Monday at the Manila Hotel Tent.

After suffering from dry breaks early on, the game teetered on the brink as Orcollo and Do forged a tie, 8-all.

Then, the Filipino cue artist made use of this last break to clean the deciding rack en route to the victory and his first gold medal since the 2015 biennial meet in Singapore.

The win was thrilling that even a seasoned competitor like Orcollo had to unleash a victorious roar as soon as his last shot went in, prompting the packed gallery to cheer him on.

“I shouted because I knew it’s over. I already won,” said Orcollo in relief.

“I didn’t expect that I would win because my foe was so good,” he added as he had a hard time fending off the wily Vietnamese who kept it close specially in the final racks and even led, 5-6, when an error cost Orcollo a point.

But experience proved to be Orcollo’s major advantage as he challenged Do to difficult shots with ball covers, causing his younger opponent to commit errors of his own.

Orcollo’s composure was also apparent as he took time at the table with decision-making and cautious shots.

“I didn’t do anything special. I just tried to be patient and wait for opportunity,” he said.

“I struggled, especially in making breaks. But I focused on my goal, which is to win.”

The win came after Orcollo lost in the quarterfinals of the 9-ball singles event, 4-9, to Aloysius Yap of Singapore early in the day, but he trained his sights on the 10-ball singles crown, instead.