Filipino cue artists Lee Vann Corteza and Dennis Orcollo brought home another honor for the Philippines as the duo rallied to beat the Dutch pair of Niels Feijen and Nick Van den Berg, 10-8, for the World Cup of Pool title in Bethnal Green, East London on Sunday.
Corteza and Orcollo initially took control of the game, 6-3, but the Dutchmen roared back and turned the tables around the Filipinos 8-7 at one point. Coming close to two racks for the title, the Dutchmen faltered under pressure, allowing Orcollo and Corteza to seize the moment and rallied at the end game.
In an interview, Orcollo credited the Filipino community for the support as it helped them power a late run that was enough for the win. “I reached the final of the World Cup in Manila in 2010 but we came up short so it is fantastic to win here in London. I would love it for me and Lee Vann to defend the World Cup in the Philippines next year as it would be a dream come true to win it again in our home country,” he said.
Orcollo and Corteza took the $60,000 (PHP2.6-million) purse and the crown, which was previously won twice by the legendary tandem of Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante in 2006 and 2009. MM
