HEAVY underdog Erickson Navarrete pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament after dismantling former world champion Dennis Orcollo, 9-2, in the Efren “Bata” Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships on Wednesday at the newly opened Pacman’s Cue Club in Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Boulevard.
The 40-year-old Navarrete, who owns a billiard hall in Calamba, Laguna, stormed to a commanding 4-1 to 8-2 lead in the race-to-9, winner’s break format. Orcollo had a chance to extend the match in the 11th rack but faltered on a long attempt at the 10-ball, sealing his fate.
“I was so nervous playing against the heavily favored Dennis Orcollo,” said Navarrete, who has built a reputation in money-game circuits after beating legends Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Jundel Mazon, Kyle Amoroto, and Warren Kiamco.
“I hope I can sustain my momentum,” he added after also dispatching Jewel Carton, 9-3, earlier in the day.
Navarrete advances to face Nguyen Phuc Long of Vietnam, who survived Paul John Ortega, 9-8, and defeated Orlyn Biteranta, 9-4.
Other winners in the opening rounds were Greg Dira, Roberto Bilicario, Jeffrey Prieto, Jeffrey Ignacio, and Jaycee Garcia.
Meanwhile, in another shocker, World Champion Cheska Centeno bowed to Jack de Luna, 9-7, while Marvin Asis edged Jonas Magpantay by the same score.
The champion of the prestigious event, organized by international billiards champion Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo and backed by Senator Manny Pacquiao, will take home P1 million.
Orcollo, Centeno, and Magpantay now drop to the loser’s bracket, where they join other early favorites Bernie Regalario, Antonio Lining, Michael Feliciano, Patrick Gonzales, and Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego.
