FILIPINO DENNIS ORCOLLO cemented his lofty billing as the world's No. 1 billiards player by grabbing a sizeable lead in the inaugural Million Dollar 9-Ball Shoot-out at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA, yesterday.Known as “The Robocop” in the pool world, the diminutive cue artist from Bislig, Surigao del Sur, tallied 64 wins with 21 Break and Runs after four rounds. “I hope to perform well in this event,” Orcollo told to this writer in a recent interview before he left for the US. Orcollo is seeking his fourth major title of the year after topping the 2008 Japan 9-Ball Open, the 1st QC Open 9-Ball Open and the first Qatar World 9-Ball Open. He also finished third in the tough 2008 World 8-Ball Open in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Orcollo, playing under the banner Billiards Manager and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), is also fresh from a runner-up finish in the Guinness 9-ball tour Singapore leg. He will face reigning US Open 9-Ball winner Shane Van Boening of the US in round 5 of the 12-player field. Van Boening, backed up by BCA Pool League, climbed into solo second place with 54 wins with 26 Break and Runs, followed by American Corey “The Prince” Deuel with 54 wins and 25 Break and Runs. Former World No. 1 and 2002 World 9-Ball Championships runner-up Francisco “Django” Bustamante is in fourth place with 54 wins plus 20 Break and Runs followed by fifth placer Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer of the US who has 53 wins and 21 Break and Runs. Another Filipino entry Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo landed at 8th spot with 51 wins and 16 Break and Runs while reigning World 9-ball champion Daryl Peach of England is at No. 10 with 49 wins and 13 Break and Runs. Other players seeing in action in the event organized by the American Allen Hopkins are No. 6 Dennis Hatch (52 wins, 23 Break and Runs), No. 7 Tony Chohan (52 wins, 13 Break and Runs), No. 9 Stevie Moore (50 wins, 10 Break and Runs), No. 11 Matt Krah (40 wins, 7 Break and Runs), and No. 12 Evan “The Running Man” Broxmeyer (28 wins, 2 Break and Runs). The event has a total prize fund of $60,000 with the champion getting $20,000, the runner-up $12,000 while the 3rd and 4th placers get $10,000 each. Fifth to 12th placers will each get $1,000. | 
