For Dennis Orcollo, billiards is all about money by Noli Cruz.
"Bilyar ang dahilan kaya medyo nahango sa kahirapan ang pamilya ko," he said. Even in tournament settings, it is the cash prize which inspires him to go deep and all the way. Orcollo, although lacking in major titles here and abroad, is considered by his peers as the best pool player in the country right now.
The 28-year-old son of a fisherman knows why. "Money game ang dahilan kaya sinasabi nila na ako ang pinakamagalingna player ngayon dito sa atin."
Most of the fancied players in money game are Filipinos. Jose "Amang" Parica and Efren "Bata" Reyes used to be the best in the business. Orcollo himself has high regards to his compatriots.
"Maraming kinatatakutang Pinoy sa pustahan. Kina Ga-Ga (Antonio Gabica), Django (Francisco Bustamante) at Van-Van (Lee Vann Corteza) medyo ingat ako," he said. Never mind the humility, he has beaten the best of local pool in money game.
On April 20-22, Orcollo will take on a different challenge as he faces Yang Ching-Shun of Taiwan in a winner-take-all 9-ball marathon presented by Golden Pool Classic at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.
The race-to-60 duel dubbed as "It’s all about money...and more" and organized by Bugsy Promotion and Rocketman Enterprises offers ,000 to the winner. Yang is acknowledged as the best money game player in Taiwan. He’s rated higher than former world champions Chao Fong-Pang and Wu ChiaChing.
"Dennis and Yang are similar in many ways. They’re both without world title but fearsome money game players," said Mon Tuason, head of the co-organizing Rocketman Enterprises. Perry Mariano, Orcollo’s manager and Bugsy Promotion boss, believes neither of the two has a clear edge over the other.
"Isa’t isa ang laban. Mahirap sabihin kung sino ang lamang lalo na’t di pa sila nagharap before," Mariano said. "Pero sa mahabang laban ‘yung mas kondisyon ang t’yak na aangat."