Robinsons Galleria
EDSA cor. Ortigas Avenue
Quezon City
Philippines
www.robinsonsmalls.com
www.predator10ball.com - live stream video (when available)
www.DragonPromotions.com
14-18 September 2011
A jubilant Orcullo celebrates his triumph, ending a long dry spell for the Philippines
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Orcullo Delivers for the Philippines! Champion of the Predator Championship
Dennis Orcullo ended the Philippines long drought of fruitless wins when he defeated double world champion Mika Immonen in the finals of the Predator International Championship. Orcullo started the event off on bad footing when he dropped an embarrassing 9-3 loss to Japan's Yukio Akagariyama, but won 8 consecutive matches in a row to claim the 11 years ongoing Predator crown.
The day started off with the final four players. The last westerner was Mika Immonen of Finland, alongside 2 Chinese pros in Liu Haitao and Wu Jia Qing, and last Filipino standing Dennis Orcullo. Immonen and Orcullo had to defeat their Chinese counterparts in order to stop an all Chinese finals.
Mika started off his match super strong playing fast and perfect. Before long he built a 7-3 lead. But Mika then became too cavalier in his choices going more offensively and failed to protect his lead. Liu played steady with accurate potting to climb back until he took the lead at 8-7. In the final games Immonen went back to using his more knowledgeable experience to regain the lead and out defensed Liu in the final game to receive ball in hand and run out for the 10-9 thriller.
"I was playing so well and looking at the score saying to myself how did it end up being so close?!", said Immonen after the tight victory. That win was the third "hill-hill win by 1 game" win he had in the event.
Share this article on FaceBook
"Read More..." for the details.
China's Liu Haitao made a valiant effort against Mika
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Immonen was able to stay focused in the tightly contested semi-finals
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Meanwhile the heavily anticipated Orcullo versus Wu match was next. Wu had demolished all his opponents and then won a 10-9 thriller over national hero Efren Reyes. Many fans and players predicted Wu as the favorite to win the match with his abnormal offensive shotmaking skills. But Orcullo hardly gave Wu a chance to see any open shots as Orcullo ran rack after rack building a large early lead at 5-1. Though Wu did make some incredible shots, the lead lost at the start was too much to overcome and Orcullo won handily at 10-6.
Wu was disappointed coming up short to win the championship
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Immonen took the early lead at 4-2, but both players were showing nerves as unforced errors increased. Immonen stayed ahead most of the way but Orcullo was nipping at his toes throughout. At 5-3 leading, Immonen missed an easy 4Ball which would have led to a 6-3 lead. Orcullo on the other hand missed a routine bank shot on the 1Ball, and another game missed the same bank again on the 1Ball.
At 8-8, Orcullo made a positional error leading to a mediocre safety. Immonen with a chance to play a strong defensive move instead left the shot open for Orcullo to come back with a better safety. Immonen lost the exchange and Orllo ran out and proceeded to break and run the next rack for the 10-8 win.
This would mark the second time Orcullo has won the event . The first time was in Las Vegas in 2009. He is the first Filipino to win this event twice, with Efren Reyes winning it last year.
"I wish I would've played with the same focus and intensity as I did against Chris Melling in the final sixteen stage. If I did, I would've perhaps won this match. But Dennis deserves this. He is one tough cookie," said Immonen.
"I'm so happy to win this for the Philippines. It's definitely a much greater feeling to win it here in Manila then when I won in Las Vegas!", said Orcullo in his finals speech.
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
The 11th Annual Predator International Championship is the premiere event of Predator Cues and produced by Dragon Promotions taking place this week September 15 - 18, 2011 at Robinson's Galleria Mall in Manila, Philippines. The event is co-sponsored by Asia Brewery Incorporated, Yalin Tables, Andy Cloth, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Colt 45 Strong Beer, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Motolite, Aramith Balls, Robinson's Galleria, Magic 89.9 Radio, Philippines Star Newspaper, Crowne Plaza Ortigas, and TV network partners ABS-CBN and ESPN Star Sports. World class pros from 30 countries were represented at this year's event.
The Golden Predator Cat, symbol of the Predator Champions
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Dragon Promotions is one of the leading producers of billiard programming in the world today. In a span of over 10 years, Dragon Promotions has produced over 100 international events airing on networks in USA, Korea, and Europe such as ESPN, ABS-CBN, ESPN Star Asia, MBC ESPN, XTM, XPORTS, and Euro Sport. Events include The World Tournament of 14.1, The Predator International 10-Ball Championship, King & Queen of Carom, Empress Cup, Pro Pool Schools, DP Pro Classic, Women's Trickshot Challenge, World Junior 10-Ball Championships, The World Mixed Doubles and many more. Dragon also manages some of the world's best players including Allison Fisher, Mika Immonen, Shanelle Loraine, Rodney Morris, Charlie Williams, Mike Davis, Erica Park and many more. Visit www.dragonpromotions.com or www.dragonpromotions.co.kr
Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include Predator Cues® – high-end (professional level) cues with revolutionary technology to enhance performance, Poison Billiards® – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, and Uni-Loc® – precision billiards equipment manufacturer. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com.
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
Sponsors Sebastian Chua of Star Billiards, Karim Belhaj CEO Predator,
Cindy Lee CEO Dragon Promotions, Peter Musgni VP of ABS-CBN Sports,
Eric Ding President of Yalin Billiards, & his Assistant Manager Susie Wang.
All photography © Chito Ines - used here by Pro9 with express permission.
THE ONE-LOSS-SIDE - ROUND FOUR |
Thorsten Hohmann ( 9-5 ) Rodolfo Luat Mika Immonen ( 9-6 ) Antonio Lining David Alcaide ( 9-8 ) Ricky Zerna John Salazar ( 9-8 ) Renemar David Philipp Stojanovic ( 9-6 ) Charles Williams Darren Appleton ( 9-3 ) Dennis Grabe Dennis Orcollo ( 9-3 ) Carlo Biado |
THE ONE-LOSS-SIDE - ROUND THREE |
Rodolfo Luat ( 9-5 ) Jercho Banares Antonio Lining ( 9-8 ) Vincent Facquet Ricky Zerna ( 9-7 ) Hamza Ali Renemar David ( 9-8 ) Jeffrey De Luna Philipp Stojanovic ( 9-5 ) Takashi Uroaka Dennis Grabe ( 9-8 ) Jech Limen Dennis Orcollo ( 9-3 ) Daryl Peach |
THE ONE-LOSS-SIDE - ROUND TWO |
Allan Cuartero ( 9-4 ) RJ Bautista Rodolfo Luat ( 9-3 ) John Morra Jericho Banares ( 9-4 ) Tony Drago Vincent Facquet ( 9-8 ) Bobby Lee Antonio Lining ( 9-2 ) Omar Alshaheen Hamza Ali ( 9-7 ) Satoshi Aoki Ricky Zerna ( 9-5 ) Johann Chua Renemar David ( 9-1 ) Ralf Souquet Jeffrey De Luna ( 9-5 ) Jasmin Ouschan Takashi Uroaka ( 9-5 ) Emmanuel Lemaire Philipp Stojanovic ( 9-6 ) Raj Hundal Dennis Grabe ( 9-5 ) Lee Van Corteza Jech Limen ( 9-5 ) Makoto Okawa Daryl Peach ( 9-8 ) Max Eberle Dennis Orcollo ( 9-1 ) Jayson Shaw |
THE ONE-LOSS-SIDE - ROUND ONE |
Allan Cuartero ( 9-1 ) Son Nguyen John Morra ( 9-5 ) Francois Cottance Tony Drago ( 9-6 ) Erki Erm Shinjiro Kuokawa ( 9-7 ) Bobby Lee Antonia Lining ( 9-5 ) Marcus Chamat Satoshi Aoki ( 9-5 ) Warren Kiamco Rickly Zerma ( 9-1 ) Kenji Taguchi Renemar David ( 9-0 ) Reda Belhaj Jasmin Ouschan ( 9-8 ) Huidji See Emmanuel Lemaire ( 9-8 ) William Ang Philippe Stojanovic ( 9-3 ) John Vincent Vicedo Lee Van Corteza ( 9-2 ) Wang Can Makoto Okawa ( 9-6 ) Ryosuke Marouka Max Eberle ( 9-3 ) Francisco Bustamante Dennis Orcollo ( 9-3 ) Han Hao Xiang |
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | ||
THE FIRST ROUND OF 64 | ||
Efren Reyes | 9 : 0 | --- |
Jayson Shaw | 9 : 3 | Brett Armer |
Daryl Peach | 9 : 7 | Allan Cuartero |
David Alcaide | 9 : 0 | Son Nguyen |
Mika Immonen | 9 : 6 | John Morra |
Jech Limen | 9 : 8 | Francois Cottance |
Dennis Grabe | 9 : 5 | Tony Drago |
Chris Melling | 9 : 6 | Erki Erm |
Thorsten Hohmann | 9 : 3 | Shinjiro Kurokawa |
Raj Hundal | 9 : 3 | Bobby Lee |
Takashi Uraoka | 9 : 6 | Marcus Chamat |
Liu Haitao | 9 : 8 | Antonio Lining |
Roberto Gomez | 9 : 5 | Warren Kiamco |
Jeffrey De Luna | 9 : 5 | Satoshi Aoki |
Wu Hao | 9 : 3 | Ricky Zerma |
Ralf Souquet | 9 : 3 | Kenji Taguchi |
Ronnie Alcano | 9 : 0 | Reda Belhaj |
Johann Chua | 9 : 4 | Renemar David |
Hamza Ali | 9 : 7 | Jasmin Ouschan |
Carlo Biado | 9 : 6 | Huidji See |
Wu Chia Ching | 9 : 3 | Wiliam Ang |
Omar Alshaheen | 9 : 7 | Emmanuel Lemaire |
Vincent Facquet | 9 : 4 | John Vincent Vicedo |
Darren Appleton | 9 : 4 | Philippe Stojanovic |
Ramil Gallego | 9 : 6 | Lee Van Corteza |
Jericho Banares | 9 : 7 | Wang Can |
Rodolfo Luat | 9 : 5 | Makoto Okawa |
Charles Williams | 9 : 6 | Ryosuke Marouka |
RJ Bautista | 9 : 6 | Max Eberle |
Jundel Mazon | 9 : 3 | Francisco Bustamante |
John Salazar | 9 : 6 | Han Hao Xiang |
Yukio Akagariyama | 9 : 2 | Dennis Orcollo |
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | ||
THE WINNER'S SIDE - LAST 32 | ||
Efren Reyes | 9 : 6 | Jayson Shaw |
David Alcaide | 9 : 8 | Daryl Peach |
Mika Immonen | 9 : 8 | Jech Limen |
Chris Melling | 9 : 5 | Dennis Grabe |
Thorsten Hohmann | 9 : 2 | Raj Hundal |
Liu Haitao | 9 : 6 | Takashi Uraoka |
Roberto Gomez | 9 : 7 | Jeffrey De Luna |
Wu Hao | 9 : 6 | Ralf Souquet |
Ronnie Alcano | 9 : 8 | Johann Chua |
Carlo Biado | 9 : 3 | Hamza Ali |
Wu Chia Ching | 9 : 2 | Omar Alshaheen |
Darren Appleton | 9 : 7 | Vincent Facquet |
Ramil Gallego | 9 : 5 | Jericho Banares |
Charles Williams | 9 : 4 | Rodolfo Luat |
Jundel Mazon | 9 : 1 | RJ Bautista |
John Salazar | 9 : 8 | Yukio Akagariyama |
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | ||
THE WINNER'S SIDE - LAST 16 | ||
Efren Reyes | 9 : 7 | David Alcaide |
Chris Melling | 9 : 2 | Mika Immonen |
Liu Haitao | 9 : 8 | Thorsten Hohmann |
Roberto Gomez | 9 : 1 | Wu Hao |
Ronnie Alcano | 9 : 0 | -Carlo Biado |
Wu Chia Ching | 9 : 2 | Darren Appleton |
Ramil Gallego | 9 : 8 | Charles Williams |
Jundel Mazon | 9 : 4 | John Salazar |
THE SINGLE ELIMINATION STAGE FINALS
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | ||
THE SINGLE ELIMINATION LAST 16 | ||
Philipp Stojanovic | 10 : 9 | Ronnie Alcano |
Liu Hai Tao | 10 : 8 | Darren Appleton |
Mika Immonen | 10 : 9 | Chris Melling |
Roberto Gomez | 10 : 5 | David Alcaide |
Wu Jia Quing | 10 : 5 | Thorsten Hohmann |
Efren Reyes | 10 : 8 | John Salazar |
Ramil Gallego | 10 : 5 | Wu Hao |
Dennis Orcollo | 10 : 2 | Jundel Mazon |
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | ||
THE SINGLE ELIMINATION QUARTER FINALS | ||
Liu Hai Tao | 10 : 8 | Philipp Stojanovic |
Mika Imonen | 10 : 7 | Roberto Gomez |
Wu Jia Qing | 10 : 9 | Efren Reyes |
Dennis Orcollo | 10 : 3 | Ramil Gallego |
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | ||
THE SINGLE ELIMINATION SEMI FINALS | ||
Mika Immonen | 10 : 9 | Liu Hai Tao |
Dennis Orcollo | 10 : 6 | Wu Jia Qing |
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | ||
THE SINGLE ELIMINATION FINAL | ||
Dennis Orcollo | 10 : 8 | Mika Immoen |
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | |
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | |
THE PRIZE FUND | |
1st | US $ 10,000-00 |
2nd | US $ 6,000-00 |
3rd | US $ 3,500-00 |
4th | US $ 3,500-00 |
5th | US $ 2,000-00 |
6th | US $ 2,000-00 |
7th | US $ 2,000-00 |
8th | US $ 2,000-00 |
9/16th | US $ 1,000-00 |
17/32nd | US $ 500-00 |
2011 PREDATOR INTERNATIONAL 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||||
MANILA - PHILIPPINES | ||||
THE CHAMPIONS | ||||
 | Buddy Hall |  | USA | |
| Mika Immonen |  | FIN | |
| Johhny Archer | | USA | |
| Johhny Archer | | USA | |
| Johhny Archer | | USA | |
| Thomas Engert |  | GER | |
| Shane Van Boening | | USA | |
| Tony Drago |  | MLT | |
| Dennis Orcollo |  | PHI | |
| Efren Reyes | | PHI | |
| Dennis Orcollo | | PHI | |
Click the image to view the larger poster - use "back" to return here.