A little-known billiard hall owner from Calamba City pulled off a stunning upset on Wednesday, routing multi-titled champion Dennis Orcollo, 9-2, in the Efren “Bata” Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships at Pacman’s Cue Club.
Erickson Navarrete, 40, came into the tournament as an underdog but played like a seasoned pro. He stormed to an early 4-1 lead and later widened the gap to an almost insurmountable 8-2 advantage in the race-to-9, winner’s break format.
Orcollo had a chance to stay alive in the 11th rack but missed a long shot on the 10-ball, allowing Navarrete to seal the upset victory.
“I was so nervous playing against the heavily favored Dennis Orcollo,” Navarrete admitted after the match.
Although relatively unknown on the mainstream billiards scene, Navarrete has a reputation for beating big names in money games. His list of previous victims includes legends Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, Francisco ‘Django’ Bustamante, Jundel Mazon, Kyle Amoroto, and Warren Kiamco.
“I hope I can sustain my momentum,” said Navarrete, who earlier eliminated Jewel Carton, 9-3.
Navarrete will next face Nguyen Phuc Long of Vietnam, who edged Paul John Ortega in a thriller, 9-8, and defeated Orlyn Biteranta, 9-4.
It was an upset-filled day at the Mandaluyong venue. World Champion Cheska Centeno fell to Jack de Luna, 9-7, while Marvin Asis stunned Jonas Magpantay, also 9-7.
The Efren “Bata” Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships, organized by international billiards champion Kap Marlon Manalo and supported by Senator Manny Pacquiao, offers a ₱1 million grand prize. The tournament runs until Friday.
