Dennis Orcollo (born January 28, 1979), sometimes called Dennis Orcullo, is a Filipino professional pool player, nicknamed "Surigao" (after a province in the Philippines) and "RoboCop".[1] He has been called "The Money-Game King".[2][3][4] Orcollo is considered one of the greatest pool players of all time.[5][6]
Orcollo at the World 9-Ball Pool Championship in Doha in 2012 | ||
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing Philippines
Men's eight-ball | ||
Southeast Asian Games | ||
2011 Palembang | Singles | |
Men's nine-ball | ||
World Games | ||
2013 Cali | Singles | |
Asian Games | ||
2010 Guangzhou | Singles | |
Southeast Asian Games | ||
2005 Manila | Doubles | |
2015 Singapore | Singles | |
2009 Vientiane | Singles | |
2017 Kuala Lumpur | Doubles | |
Men's ten-ball | ||
Southeast Asian Games | ||
2013 Naypyidaw | Singles | |
2019 Philippines | Singles |
Early life
editOrcollo is the second of four brothers. His father was killed in a boating accident caused by a windstorm when he was young. He started practicing pool at 8 years of age through his grandfather's table. Because of financial problems, he gave up school at third grade, and focused on his sport.
Orcollo was deported from the United States in January 2022 reportedly due to overstaying in the country. He is barred from going back to the United States for five years, consequentially making him unable to compete in US tournaments.[7][8]
Career
editOrcollo began competing outside the Philippines in 2002. That year, he competed in the WPA World Nine-ball Championship where he finished 17th place.[9]
In 2006, Orcollo began his campaign in the U.S. There he won a number of tournaments, including the Reno Open, the Hard Times Nine-ball Tournament and two bar table events. Because his compatriots had entered a less prestigious event in Asia, Orcollo was the only player from the Philippines to compete in the inaugural World Straight Pool Championship. Also in 2006, Orcollo won the last edition of the World Pool League tournament against Niels Feijen.[10]
In 2007, Orcollo reached the finals of the WPA World Eight-ball Championship only to be bested by countryman Ronato Alcano. He would again reach the finals of the same event in 2011, this time to win against Niels Feijen.
In 2008, Orcollo won the Japan Nine-ball Open beating Ryogi Aoji of Japan 9–2 in the finals. Four months later, Orcollo ruled the inaugural Qatar World Nine-ball Open tournament defeating Niels "The Terminator" Feijen of Netherlands 13–5 in the championship match to bag the title and the top purse of $40,000. Feijen, received the runner-up prize of $20,000.[11]
In 2010, Orcollo tops the World Pool Masters, which featured over 750 players from around the world and was hosted at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He defeated Japanese player Toru Kuribayashi 8–3 in the final and took home the $20,000 top prize.[12] Orcollo also won the Asian Games Nine-ball singles, beating compatriot Warren Kiamco, 9–7.[13] He was awarded as one of the 2010 Philippines Sportsman of the year.[14]
In 2011, Orcollo snapped off his first World title after beating Neils Feijen of Netherlands 10–3 in the final of the World Eight-ball Championship.[15] Orcollo won the 2011 Derby City Classic nine-ball, beating American player Shane Van Boening 7–2 in the final.[16] Orcollo also won the Predator International Ten-ball Championship for the second time after he beat Mika Immonen of Finland 10–8.[17] Orcollo was named the 2011 WPA player of year.[18]
In 2012, Orcollo won the US Open Ten-ball Championship, defeating compatriot Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 11–5 in the championship match to win the top prize of US$15,000.[19] He then won the Hard Times Ten-ball Open after he dominated Shane Van Boening 11–3 in the final.[20] Orcollo also conquered the China Open Nine-ball Championship when he dispatched Chinese Taipei’s Lu Hui-Chan, 11–9.[21] Orcollo was named the 2012 AZBilliards player of the year.
In 2013, Dennis Orcollo and Lee Vann Corteza clinched the World Cup of Pool after defeating the Dutch tandem of Niels Feijen and Nick van den Berg, 10–8, at York Hall in London, England. They became the third Filipino duo to win the annual single-elimination tournament for doubles teams in nine-ball competition after Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante won the inaugural event in 2006 and then repeated in 2009.
Orcollo sought redemption after he came up close in 2010 World cup of Pool with a second place finish with his partner Roberto Gomez, bowing to eventual winners Li He-wen and Fu Jian-bo of China.[22]
In 2015, Orcollo overcame Mike Dechaine 11–9 in the final to win the US Open eight-ball Championship. Orcollo earned $11,000 for first place, while Dechaine settled for $7,000.[23]
In 2016, Orcollo defeated Shane Van Boening, 200–121 to win the U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship,[24] a tournament that has not been held previously for sixteen years.[25]
In 2020, Orcollo recorded a 120–119 victory against Shane Van Boening to be crowned The Money Game King in a three-day one-on-one 9-ball tournament held at Bill's Bar and Billiards in Oklahoma City.[26]
In 2021, Orcollo defeated Shane Van Boening again, this time by a score of 120–115 in their race to a 120 nine-ball rematch.[27]
In their early match on day 1, Orcollo runs an incredible 11 straight racks in a row.[28] The only other pool player to ever have run 11 consecutive racks in history was Earl Strickland.[29]
In 2022, Orcollo was the fourth Filipino pool player to be inducted into the BCA Hall of fame, joining fellow countrymen Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, and Jose Parica. He was the clear choice of voters in the Greatest Players category and have earned induction into the sport’s most prestigious club.[30]
Titles and achievements
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References
edit- ^ "World Pool League: Orcollo Takes The Glory". MatchroomSport.com. Matchroom Sport Ltd. October 2, 2006. Retrieved July 6, 2007.
- ^ Sampey, Patrick (June 22, 2021). "Dennis "Robo Cop" Orcollo (Remix) -- The Greatest Money Player Of All Time -- by Patrick Sampey". SPM BilliardMagazine. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ "The Mag: Dennis Orcollo is best money game pool player". ESPN.com. May 1, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ "Orcollo itinanghal na The Money Game King". www.philstar.com. October 30, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ "Greatest Players of All Time". Billiards and Pool Principles, Techniques, Resources. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Sampey, Patrick (June 22, 2021). "Dennis "Robo Cop" Orcollo (Remix) -- The Greatest Money Player Of All Time -- by Patrick Sampey". SPM BilliardMagazine. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ "Dennis Orcollo deported from US for overstaying: report". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "Dennis Orcollo's friends appeal his deportation, five-year US ban". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "The Rise and Fall of the Filipino Pool Craze - VICE". vice. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ "Orcollo Takes World Pool League Title". AZBilliards.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
- ^ "Dennis Orcollo Tops Qatar World 9-Ball Open; Pockets $40,000 - News - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. July 5, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Orcollo is World Pool Masters Champion - News - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. May 17, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ News, G. M. A. (November 18, 2010). "Orcollo hands PHL 2nd Asian Games gold". GMA News Online. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ "Dennis Orcollo". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Orcullo Wins - News - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. February 26, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Derby City Classic 2011 9-Ball Division - Horseshoe Southern Indiana - January 25 - 29th, 2011 - Results - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Orcollo 11th Predator 10-Ball champion". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Orcollo 2011 WPA Player of the Year". www.philstar.com. December 3, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Orcollo Wins US Open 10-Ball Championship; Pockets $15,000 - News - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. May 20, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Orcullo wins seven on the one loss side to take Hard Times 10-Ball away from Van Boening - News - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. May 7, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "Experience pays off as Orcollo rules China Open". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ Fopalan, Renee (September 23, 2013). "PHL duo of Corteza, Orcollo nab 2013 World Cup of Pool title". GMA News Online. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ "Dennis Orcollo Wins US Open 8-Ball Championship - News - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. August 1, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "2016 US Open Straight Pool Championship". SixPockets.de. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ Capelle, Philip (May 2016). "Congratulations To Dennis Orcollo: 2016 U.S. Straight Pool Champion". Stroke Magazine.
- ^ Co, Chris. "Orcollo itinanghal na The Money Game King". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "Stats -- Orcollo vs. Van Boening 9-Ball Race to 120, June 2021". AzBilliards Forums. June 21, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ Sampey, Patrick (June 22, 2021). "Dennis "Robo Cop" Orcollo (Remix) -- The Greatest Money Player Of All Time -- by Patrick Sampey". SPM BilliardMagazine. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "Earl Strickland: The Pearl of Pool". www.thehypertexts.com. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ JAM (June 26, 2022). "Jerry Briesath and Dennis Orcollo Elected to Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ "Orcullo comes from the loss side to win 5th Annual Hard Times 10-Ball Open". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- ^ "5th Annual Hard Times 10-Ball Open". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
- ^ "US Open One-Pocket Championship". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- ^ "DCC 2014 14.1 Challenge". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ "DCC 2014 Master of the Table". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ "Orcollo crowned Master of the Table in Derby City Classic". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Dennis Orcollo bags 1st Master of the Table Crown". philboxing.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "DCC 2014 9B Banks Div". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
- ^ "Orcollo Wins Banks Division at Derby Day Five". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ "Orcollo beats Bustamante to win Derby City Classic Bank Pool title". ph.sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ^ "Jay Swanson Memorial 2014". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
- ^ "Orcollo successfully defends his Jay "Swanee" Swanson Memorial title". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
- ^ "Jay Swanson Memorial 2013". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
- ^ "World Cup of Pool 2013". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ "US Open One Pocket 2013". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
- ^ "US BBox C'ship 2013 10-Ball". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "US BBox C'ship 2013 10-Ball". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "DCC 2013 10B Challenge". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ "China Open Men's Div. 2012". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
- ^ "Hard Times 10B 2012". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
- ^ "US Open 10-Ball 2012". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
- ^ "Dennis Orcullo named WPA Player of the Year - News - AZBILLIARDS.COM". AzBilliards. December 1, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ "Predator Int'l 10B C'ship 2011". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ "World 8B C'ship 2011". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
- ^ "DCC 2011 9B Div". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
- ^ "BSCP National 9B C'ships". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
- ^ "SMB Oktoberfest 9-Ball Open champion". balita.p/. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
- ^ "World Pool Masters 2010". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Predator Int'l 10B C'ship 2009". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Guinness Tour 2008 Stop 5". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved September 21, 2008.
- ^ "Qatar World Open 9B Tournament". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
- ^ "BCA Open 2007". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
- ^ "Bill Staton Memorial". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
- ^ "World Pool League 2006". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
- ^ "USBT C'ship 2006 Men's 8B". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved March 5, 2006.
- ^ "Reno Open June 2006". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved June 11, 2006.
- ^ "HTB Jamboree 2006 9B Div". AZBilliards.com. Retrieved June 19, 2006.