Dennis Orcullo Dominates In The Hard Times Summer Jamboree

Hard Times Billiards, Bellflower, CA, USA - Right after dominating everyone to win the Reno Open, Dennis Orcullo dominates in both One Pocket and 9-Ball Divisions of the Hard Times Summer Jamboree, held June 13-18.

One Pocket Division
Dennis "Surigao" Orcullo fell victim to Tony "T-Rex" Chohan in the finals with the score of 5-1. Chohan was unbeatable on the entire One Pocket event. Meanwhile, Orcullo came from the loser's bracket after losing his game against Mark Haddad. It was an excellent showing for Orcullo though, for he made the finals without a classic One Pocket experience to boast of. Chohan took home $2,200 while Orcullo took home a decent $1,500.

9-Ball Division
It was an All-Filipino final in the 9-Ball Division. Dennis "Surigao" Orcullo, who was undefeated on the entire 9-Ball Event, disputed the championship against compatriot Gandy "Yang-Yang" Valle, who came from the loser's bracket. The finals finished 11-7 in favor of Dennis Orcullo. Dennis took home $3,500 while Yang-Yang took hime $2,200.

The 9-Ball Division was dominated by Filipinos as Warren Kiamco, Santos Samajon, Edwin Montal are among the final contenders to join Orcullo in the finals.

The Kaiser Edges The Lion In 2006 World Pool Masters

Hotel Zuiderduin, The Netherlands - It was a battle of two former World 9-Ball Champions in the World Pool Masters, where Germany's Ralf "The Kaiser" Souquet defeated Filipino-Canadian Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, 8-4 in the finals (June 16-18).

It was Souquet's 5th World Pool Masters trophy, as it was Pagulayan's best ever showing in the tournament.

Alex ran over Steve Davis, Vilmos Foldes and Raj Hundal to reach the finals.

The Kaiser took home a handsome $20,000 pay check while The Lion took home a not-so-bad $10,000 pay for placing second.

Orcullo Cashes Out In Reno

Sands Regency Hotel and Casino, Reno, NV, USA - Dennis Orcullo once again proved that he might be the next big thing for Philippine billiards, as he bested 158 players enroute to winning the 43rd Annual Reno Open, June 6-11.

Dennis was undefeated all-the-way to the finals, emerging from the winner's bracket with a twice to beat advantage in the finals. Orcollo's notable victims on the way to the finals are Corey Deuel (9-5) and Kim Davenport (9-1). Davenport got the chance to go to the finals for topping the loser's bracket. In the finals, Davenport survived the first finals match 9-7 to earn a decision match and a fitting revenge to Orcullo. In the second match though, Orcullo prevailed 9-8, winning the trophy.

Dennis, dubbed as "Philippine's Money-Game King" took home $12,000 for the win.

Gallego Wins Bangkok Leg Of Asian 9-Ball Tour

Central Bangna, Bangkok, Thailand - Another Filipino came out on top, this as Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego topped the San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour, Bangkok Leg.

Ramil came from behind in the semifinals, defeating Taiwanese 2-time World 9-Ball Champion, Fong Pang Chao, 11-8 - avenging the loss of compatriot Efren Reyes to Chao in the quarterfinals. Then in the finals, Ramil repeated the same feat, coming from behind against tournament darkhorse Au Chi Wai of Hong Kong, winning with the same score, 11-8.

Ramil was a replacement for former World Champion, Alex Pagulayan, after winning qualifiers in the Philippines.

Gallego took home $10,000 for the win.

The first leg of the the 2006 Asian tour was won by Efren Reyes in Ho Chi Minh, and this was just the second leg. Last year, 3 of 4 legs were won by Filipinos - Gandy Valle (Singapore), Reyes (Jakarta) and Ronato Alcano (Manila), conceding the Kaohsiung leg to Taiwanese Yang Ching Shun.

The tournament was in June 2-4, 2006.