Team Asia takes 3-1 series lead over Team Philippines as Chang pulls off a Houdini in PBB
Mar 13, 2012
REIGNING World 8-ball champion Chang Jung-lin of Chinese-Taipei came through with another Houdini act, winning the last three racks en route to a close 9-8 win over former World No.1 and World 8-ball ruler Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo of the Philippines in the 2012 Philippine Bigtime Billiards (PBB) Face Off Series at the Pagcor Airport Casino in Parañaque City late Saturday.
It was a bitter loss for Orcollo, one of the top player of star-studded Bugsy Promotions, who surged to early leads of 4-0, 7-2 and 8-6 in the race-to-9, winner's break format, dubbed as Philippines versus Asia, jointly organized by the Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp and aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34, and also aired worldwide through the Internet, live streaming at www.megasportsworld.com and www.philippinebigtimebilliards.com.
"Hindi ko alam kung paano ang nangyari at halos abot kamay ko na ang panalo kasi 8-6 na ang iskor at isang rack na lamang panalo na tayo kaso nag scratch ako sa pag break ko sa 15th racks tapus hindi na ako binigyan pa ng pagkakataon ng kunin ni Chang ang tatlong huling racks. Ang galing talaga ni Chang," said PSA Athletes of the Year Orcollo. "Talagang hindi siguro sa akin. Hindi ko na sana nabigyan ng pagkakataon si Chang tuloy naglahong bula pa ang panalo. Pero ganito talaga sa bilyar, kung swerte mo, sa iyo po yan." added the former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur.
Chang finally got a chance to escape when Orcollo got struck by a dry break in what could be a last rack for the latter's (Orcollo), allowing Chang to unleash the big rally to the delight of the more than 200 fans winning three straight racks for a 9-8 decision win in the event backed up by Sorsogon Province Sports Patron Philip Escudero of Malungai Life Oil, Airport Casino Filipino, Hermes Sports Bar, Dennis Robocop cues, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant, and Golden Leaf Restaurant.
"In the start of the match I was so nervous when Dennis took a 4-0, 7-2 to 8-6 lead." said Chang through an interpreter, who beat fellow countryman Chei Wei Fu, 11-6, in an all-Taiwan finals to emerged over-all champion in the 2012 World 8-ball Championship last February 17 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
"However i didn't lose hope because of the winner's break format. Maybe it can turn around the situation but i need to play solid," he added.
Chang also lift Team Asia into a 3-1 lead against Team Philippines in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards introduces a fresh new format for 2012 in this event also supported by Bugsy Promotions, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and The Philippine Star as official media partner.
It shall be recalled that last February 18, Ko Pin-yi of Chinese-Taipei downed Filipino pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-4. However, Francisco "Django" Bustamante pull off a come-from-behind win against Ko, 9-7, last February 25 to avenged the loss of his fellow Puyat Sports player Reyes. Chang, on the other hand beat Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, 9-7, last March 3.
Meanwhile, the PBB Face Off series resumes with a match pitting Yang Ching-shun of Chinese-Taipei against Carlo Biado on March 17. After that, Yang takes on Francisco "Django" Bustamante on March 24, and Chang Yu Long of Chinese-Taipei will then face off against Ronato Alcano on March 31.