Team Philippines was put to a test but still managed to eke out a 4-2 victory over Norway and storm into the Final 8 of the first World Team Pool Championship in Hannover, Germany.

The RP team dropped two matches for the first time, and had it not been for the heroics of former world no. 1 Dennis Orcollo, the outcome could have been different.

The Filipinos had a roaring start and appeared headed for an easy win when they raced to a commanding 3-0 lead on account of their 6-5 and 6-3 wins in the 10-ball plays and Ronnie Alcano’s 8-2 win over Vegar Kristiansen in the 9-ball event.

The Norwegians, however, came back strong when they moved to within 2-3, after consecutive victories by Malvin Bjelland, who downed Antonio Lining, 8-7, in the 9-ball event, and Mats Schjetne, who defeated Lee Van Corteza, 7-4, in the 10-ball play.

But the 31-year-old Orcollo rose to the occasion, averting what could have been a 3-all tie that could have forced a shoot out, by routing Mats Schjetne, 7-1, in the 10-ball event.

It was the first time the RP squad lost two matches after routing the Great Britain II, 4-0, in the opener and swamping Czech Republic, 4-1, to reach the Last 16 on Tuesday.

The 48-nation tournament, the first of its kind and sanctioned by the world pool association, stakes a total purse of $400,000 (roughly P19.2 million) and uses a point-system scoring patterned after the famous Davis Cup in international tennis.

For advancing to the quarterfinals, Team Philippines, which will next face Poland, is now assured of $15,000 (roughly P705,000).

Also cruising to the Round of 8 were Russia, Germany II, Great Britain I, China, Switzerland and Greece.