ORCOLLO

Dennis Orcollo banked on his vast experience to topple Thomasz Kaplan of Poland, 9-5, while defending champion Darren Appleton continued his winning ways as the two led the march to the round-of-64 of the second World Ten Ball Championship at the World Trade Center.

Coming off a 9-6 triumph over compatriot Steve Villamil the other day, Orcollo gave Kaplan no room to operate, leading 6-4 before wrapping up the match to become the first Filipino to barge into the next level of the 128-field tournament.

Still, Orcollo was not satisfied with his showing.

“Parehas hindi maganda ang laro ko,” said Orcollo, the reigning Predator 10-Ball champion. “Medyo naninibago ako, kasi sobrang ganda ng tapete. Pero masasanay din tayo.”

The 30-year-old Orcollo will take a break on Friday before plunging back into action against Kuo Po-Cheng of Taiwan.

Kuo downed Filipino Mario Tolentino, 9-4, sending the local bet to the loser’s bracket of the tournament offering $60,000 (about P2.8 million) to the champion.

Appleton, meanwhile, turned back first-timer MB Alias of Brunei, 9-2, to likewise make it to the round-of-64.

Appleton, who vowed to prove to everyone that his title conquest last year was no fluke, dominated the match.

“I think for a first timer, he seems OK,” Appleton said. “He had some good shots, but he had rookie jitters as well. “

“I feel more comfortable now. I’m six victories away from retaining my crown, but I know it won’t be easy. There’s a lot pressure building up game by game.”

Appleton will next face Kenny Kwok of Hong Kong, a 9-3 winner over Nick Van Den Berg of Netherlands.