Billiards
Orcullo ousted in World 8-Ball shocker
Dennis Orcullo learned a valuable lesson: never trust a borrowed cue stick.
The reigning champion and world No. 1 player, playing on borrowed equipment, was beaten by a young Polish player named Karol Skowerski, 9-3, in their round-of-32 encounter on Thursday in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates in the World 8-Ball Championship.
“Nasira kasi yung tako (cue stick) ni Dennis nu’ng naglalaro siya sa Derby Classic,” said Perry Mariano, Orcullo’s manager. “Kaya hindi nya gamay yung gamit niya sa World 8-Ball.”
Orcullo participated in the Derby Classic in the United States from January 21 to 30 prior to joining this tournament.
Skowerski raced to a 5-0 lead while Orcullo, the 2011 WPA Player of the Year, struggled.
Without the Filipino ace, the Philippines’ chances now lie on their remaining bidders – Lee Van Corteza, up and coming Carlo Biado and Roberto Gomez.
Prior to Orcullo’s match, two other prominent names — Ralf Souquet of Germany and Darren Appleton of Great Britain -– were also shown the exit door by their less-heralded opponents.
Souquet, a two-time world champion and a winner of this tournament four years ago, lost a tough match round-of-64 encounter, 9-7, to Max Eberle, the last Ameircan standing in the tournament.
Appleton, on the other hand, was defeated by Li Hewen of China, 9-3.
