DENNIS Orcollo climbed to fifth in the World Pool Association rankings after his title conquest in the China Open 9-ball tournament in Shanghai over the weekend.
Orcollo gained 600 ranking points for a total of 1,790 points, rising from 11th to break into the top five of the list following his 11-9 win over Lu Hui Chan of Chinese Taipei on Sunday.
Orcollo can gain more points if he competes in the US Open 9-ball championships in October.
Lee Van Corteza stayed in seventh with 1,566 points after reaching the knockout stages of the China Open.
Reigning world 9-ball champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain remained on top followed by Huidji See of Netherlands, Yukio Akagariyama of Japan, and Ko Pin Yi of Chinese Taipei.
Orcollo played a near flawless game en route to the China Open crown as the former 8-ball champion was facing elimination ever since his first match of the tournament but still went on to win the crown.
“This is the first time I played almost perfect from beginning to the end of a tournament,” Orcollo said in an interview posted on the WPA website. “I lost my first match 9-8, then I win my next match 9-7, then qualified by winning 9-8. So when I qualified, I have a lot of confidence after that because I played good against good opponents.”
“This is the first time I won a pro event in China. This is a big day for me, a wonderful day. This is the most special win of my career. It is amazing and I will never forget this. This trophy is going to go right in the middle of my living room,” said Orcollo.
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