MANILA, Philippines – Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo began his campaign with a victory over German Ralf “Kaiser” Souquet at the start of the 2010 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) 9-Ball Championship.

Orcollo outclassed the WPA 8-Ball and 9-Ball champion, 9-6, at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation hall in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday.

“Maganda ‘yung naging simula, medyo umayon sa akin ‘yung bola kaya sinamantala ko na,” said Orcollo, who is coming off a win in the World Pool Masters weeks ago.

Joining Orcollo in the winning column of the group stage matches are Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Lee Van “The Slayer” Corteza.

Bustamante defeated Italian Fabio Petroni, 9-7, while Corteza beat Qatari Ibrahim Al Khadar, 9-1.

However, newly-crowned Spanish Open champion Efren “Bata” Reyes, Jeffrey “The Bull” de Luna and Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo were not as fortunate.

Reyes was beaten by Liu Haitao of China (9-5); de Luna lost to Thai Nitiwat Kanjanasri (9-6); and Manalo succumbed to former RP snooker teammate Joven Alba (9-8).

Other Filipinos who posted wins are Raymond Faraon, Oliver Medenilla, Allan Cuartero and Israel “Amay” Rota.

Faraon walloped Mark Gray of Great Britain (9-2); Medenilla crushed Jeong Young Hwa of Korea (9-6); Cuartero whacked Chan Keng Kwang of Singapore (9-7); and Rota edged current World 9-ball champion Daryl Peach of Great Britain (9-8).

Upcoming matches featuring Filipinos are Antonio “Nickoy” Lining versus American Corey Deuel; Antonio “Ga-Ga” Gabica versus German Nicolas Otterman; Ronnie “Volcano” Alcano versus Qatari Ahmed Hassan; Venancio “Tukao” Tanio versus German Holger Gries; and Francisco Felicilda versus Indian Muhammad Zulfikri.

The Top 4 finishers after the group stage matches will advance to the Last 64, which will be played in a knock-out stage format, alternate break format.

The WPA World Pool Championships offers a total pot prize of $250,000, with the champion getting the lion’s share worth $36,000. – by Marlon Bernardino