Road to Becoming World Champion Ends for Martel and Pagulayan

Alain Martel and Alex Pagulayan were not able to crack the top 16 at the World 9-ball Championship however we are very proud of their accomplishment, way to go guys! French Canadian Alain Martel continues to have great success in this event, his top 16 finish will guarantee him a spot to play next year. In the closer of the two eliminations Martel watched Finlands Mika Immonen run out on him to an 11-8 victory.

Alex Pagulayan was representing the Philippines at this years event. His duel citizenship allows him to represent either country, as you probably remember it was our flag he was playing under in 2004 when he won this top prize in pool!! No matter who Alex is representing he has the respect and support of his fans and friends in Canada, he is our man no matter how he finishes!!

Alex drew a tough match in the last 16 and had to play fellow countryman and friend Francisco Bustamante. This match was one of few mistakes but Bustamante took advantage of a successful break and ran rack after rack as Alex was left in his chair watching the score grow farther apart. Bustamante took the match and after a classy Pagulayan said "I'm not disappointed, I played a guy that I predicted would win the tournament and I lost to the right guy."

World Pool Championships Down to the Single Knock Out Stage

It's been a tough 5 days in the Philippines as half the field at the 2007 World 9-Ball Championships will have to try to earn a trip back to compete next year as they have been eliminated from this years event. This was the case for Canadians Tyler Edey, Ronnie Wiseman, John Morra and Edwin Montal as they did not get past the group stage.

Our hopes are with Alain Martel who is no stranger to top finishes in this event and Pilipino Canadian Alex Pagulayan who in 2004 was on top of the World earning this title!!

Keep an eye on the World Pool Championship official site for up to the minute match results!

Two great things are going on this year.

First you can bet all the matches at StanJames.com, good luck to everyone hope you pick nothing but winners!

Second you can watch the event online for free! Just download the SopCast player below and install it. When you run it the easiest way to get to the pool is by clicking on ESPN under the channel list tab. You will have to wait a minute for the channel to come in. I'm not sure what time this event is on but I would think it starts late in the day and goes through the night, there is a 12 hour time difference.

Alex Pagulayan

Personal Background

• Name: Alejandro Salvador Pagulayan
• Also Known as: Alex Pagulayan, "The Lion" and "The Killer Pixie"
• Sex: Male
• Age: 29 Years Old
• Date of Birth: Born 1978
• Place of Birth: Cabagan, Isabela, Philippines
• Country: Philippines-Canada
• Nationality: Filipino-Canadian
• Spouse: na
• Hobbies: Playing Pool, Poker, Chess and Basketball
• Sports: Billiards

Achievements:

• 2007 World Summit of Pool
• 2006 Philippine National Championship
• 2005 Philippines Snooker Team Gold Medal, SEA Games
• 2005 US Open Nine-ball Championship
• 2005 Derby City Classic Ten-ball Ring Game Champion
• 2005 SML Entertainment Nine-ball Champion
• 2004 WPA World Nine-ball Championship
• 2003 Joss Tour Grand Final Winner
• 2003 Carolinas Open Nine-ball Division, Goldsboro, North Carolina
• 2003 IBC Western Canadian Open
• 2002 World Pool Trickshot Champion

Trivia:

Early days

• Pagulayan's parents emigrated to Canada when he was 15 years old. His father managed a pool hall, so Pagulayan's exposure to the game came early. Though he was attracted to others sports, he thought his stature may not have been right. "I like a lot of sports, but with pool, you don't have to be physically tough. His main hotspot was the pool call "Loma's".

Professional career

• Pagulayan also has expertise in the pocket billiards game of snooker, and his capabilities enabled his Philippines team to win the Snooker Gold Medal at the 2005 SEA Games (held in Manila, Philippines) with teammates Joven Alba and Leonardo Andam. After the team's 3–2 win against Thailand at the Makati Coliseum, Pagulayan emerged as a triple Gold Medalist.

• Very skilled players in nine-ball have the tendency to sometimes pocket four or even five balls on the break. Pagulayan in the first rack of the semi-finals in the 2004 BCA Open, sank six balls on the break, two-thirds of the entire rack. (But note that Rodolfo Luat also performed a similar feat in a Japanese tournament.) Pagulayan's break did not include the 9 ball, and despite the six ball advantage, he lost that game (to fellow countryman Santos Sambajon).

• In 2002, Pagulayan made it to finals of the US Open Nine-ball Championship, but was defeated by Ralf Souquet, 11–13. Three years later, he got another shot for the US Open Nine-ball Championship title and won it, defeating Jose Parica in the finals, 11–6.

• In 2003, Pagulayan went on the road in the United States with Canadian pool player Ronnie Wiseman to compete in pocket billiard tournaments. They both scored a double victory at the Carolinas Open at Fast Eddie's in Goldsboro, North Carolina, with Wiseman winning the one-pocket tournament and Pagulayan winning the nine-ball event. Later in 2003, Pagulayan reached the finals of the World Nine-ball Championship. Unfortunately, he was bested by Thorsten Hohmann 10-17.

• In 2004 in Taipei, Taiwan, Pagulayan captured the prestigous World Pool Championship title, representing Canada. The score was a 17–13 victory over Pei-wei Chang in the finals.
• In 2006, Pagulayan won the first national championship of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of Philippines (BSCP), besting Gandy Valle in the finals and earning P1,000,000 (US$20,639).

• Not many pool players in the Philippines excel at or even play straight pool. For a number of years, Efren Reyes was the only Filipino player known to have made runs of 100 or more. However, at an demonstration match at the 2006 Derby City Classic in Kentucky, Pagulayan made a high run of 130, the second-highest of the event. This makes him the second Filipino player known to have run 100 balls in straight pool in controlled competition.

• In 2007, won the World Summit of Pool nine-ball championship held at the Riviera Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. American Shane Van Boening defeated Pagulayan earlier in the event, 11–4, but the veteran Pagulayan came back from the losing bracket of the double-elimination tournament chart by beating fellow countrymen Francisco Bustamante and Warren Kiamco, only to face Van Boening in the final round. The semi-finals as well as the final matches were recorded by ESPN for future broadcast, and the final match between Pagulayan and Van Boening was a race to 7. Pagulayan shot out with a strong lead, 4–1, but Van Boening managed to tie the score at 5–5. However, after Pagulayan three-fouled him, resulting in a loss of game for Van Boening, Pagulayan advanced forward and captured the title in the final game, ending the match at 7–5.
  

Personal life

• Despite his 2004 relocation to the Philippines, Pagulayan still officially has a mailing address in Canada. In March 2007, when asked where he resides in a Pool Billiards News interview, Pagulayan jokingly replied, "My suitcase. Yes. That's where I live right now – out of my suitcase!"

• Aside from pool, Alex also plays poker, chess and basketball.

World Pool Championships Starts Today

So it's that time of year again and several Canadians are over in the Philippines trying to be crowned World 9-Ball Champion. Alex Pagulayan, Brady Gollan, Alain Martel, Edwin Montal, Tyler Edey, Ronnie Wiseman and John Morra join 121 other players from around the world in competition this week. Good luck to all our friends!!

Two great things are going on this year.

First you can bet matches on StanJames.com, good luck to everyone hope you pick nothing but winners!

Second you can watch the event online for free! Just download the SopCast player below and install it. When you run it the easiest way to get to the pool is by clicking on ESPN under the channel list tab. You will have to wait a minute for the channel to come in. I'm not sure what time this event is on but I would think it starts late in the day and goes through the night, there is a 12 hour time difference.

Pagulayan and Morra Match Up

Las Vegas, Nevada home of the World Sumit of Pool has been host to many Canadians over the las two days including Alex Pagulayan and John Morra who found themselves in a meeting a few rounds into the A side. Early results have Alex taking this one over the young man who has idolized him.

Morra upset veteran Mika Immonen 11-8 but was not the onlyu JR making waves while 13 year old Austin Murphy schooled the older Walter Glass 11-4. Pagulayan won over Hemmah, Bustamante won 11-7 over Robles, Moore won a close 11-9 over Jones in a near 3 hour match battle, and Van Boening continues his dominance with 11-7 victory over fellow South Dakota native Lee Heuwagen.

Alex Pagulayan vs Shane Van Boening Rematch Tonight

The scene was set, it was the Derby City Action Room in Louisville Kentucky. The players were ready, the game was made.

Alex Pagulayan played Shane Van Boening a race to 21 in 10 ball last night and into this morning with over 10k on the line. I was lucky enough to check out theactionreport.com last night and watch their live video feed of the action as it happened. When I started watching Shane was up 13-7 after an early 6-2 lead. Alex mounted a come back to get the match to 14-12 and then found himself out paced as Shane brought the score to 20-15. Alex with the heart of a Lion did not quit and though he brought the match to 20-20 and made an amazing kick shot to have an open shot to win the match he was left with a bank. Unfortunately for his fans Alex came up short shooting the bank and would have been safe except the bank hit the horn of the side pocket and hung in the corner for Shane to make the routine run out.

It was truly one of the best fought back and forth matches I have ever watched and tonight they have scheduled a rematch, you can watch the stream for $15 which you can purchase and connect to through out friends at theactionreport.com.

User DeadPoke on AZBilliards posted this funny moment from just before the match last night, anyone the knows Alex can totally see him saying this and them laughing.

Top Players Featured in this Weekends Stan James Event at Shooters

Jim Wych takes his Stan James 9-ball tour to Shooters in Scarborough this weekend. Room owner John White is welcoming the players with brand new cloth making for excellent playing conditions for Canadas best. Aside from that Shooters has a great menu at great prices and players and spectators alike will be treated to excellent service.

So whats the action going to be like?

Well it should start up Friday night as local players and those ariving from across Canada go to get a little practice in before the event. We have seen some great matches on the Friday evening at past events and this should be no different.

Who will be there?

Originally Alex Pagulyan was scheduled to compete in this event but will no longer be attending. However this event will showcase an awesome field of players ready to battle for the cash and the points. Here's a quick rundown of other notable names, Alain Martel, Edwin Montal, Luc Salvas, Danny Hewitt, Erik Hjorleifson, Jason Klatt, and John Morra.

For a current list of players scheduled to be there visit the tours title sponsor StanJames.com.

If you desire more detailed information about this Tour please call Tour Director Jim Wych at 905-469-8303 for more details. Details are also available at the CBSA website: www.cbsa.ca

If your interested in placing some bets on your favourite players it's very easy.

1. Go to www.stanjames.com and sign up for an account.
* Accounts are free and you get a bonus equalling your first bet up to $50.
2. After your registered click on Pool from the list on the left.
3. Check out the lines and place your bets.

Good luck players and betters!

Red-hot Pagulayan rules Japan 9-Ball Open

Former World Pool champion Alex Pagulayan demolished Taiwanese Ro Li-wen, 9-6, Sunday to win the 17th Japan 9-Ball Open in Tokyo, Japan.

Pagulayan, a native of Cabagan, Isabela, but who is now based in Toronto, Canada, captured the top prize of 1.5 million yen (about P675,00) in clinching his first major title this year.

The 2004 world pool champion had eliminated compatriot and defending champion Antonio Lining, 9-6, to reach the finals.

Pagulayan, also the 2005 US Open champion and 2006 BSCP national titlist in Manila, beat Naoyuki Ooi of Japan in the quarterfinals, 9-6, after hurdling fellow Filipino Rodolfo Luat in the round of 16, 9-5.

Ro Li-wen secured the other title slot at the expense of fellow Taiwanese Kuo Po-cheng, 9-6.

Lining made it to the semifinals by ousting Ramil Gallego, 9-5, after surviving Dennis Orcollo, 9-6, in the round of 16.

Also reaching the round-of-16 were Kuo Po-Cheng of Chinese-Taipei, Naoyuki Ooi, 17-year-old Hayato Hijikata and Mekari Tomoki of Japan and former world No. 1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Roel Esquillo of the Philippines.

Other Filipinos who saw action were Efren “Bata” Reyes, double world champion Ronato Alcano, Lee Van Corteza, Jharome Peña and last year’s runner-up Dondon Razalan.

Advancing to the quarterfinals in the ladies division were Japanese Akimi Kajitani, Kawahara Chihiro, Yukawa Keiko, Fuke Miyuki, Sone Kyoko and Shimizu Kazuko and Lai Hui-shan of Chinese-Taipei.

Fourth Seed Pagulayan Crashes Out

Filipino Alex Pagulayan crashed out of this year’s 2006 Philippines World Pool Championship as he lost a hill-hill thriller to Taiwan's seasoned Lee Kun-fang.

It was a bitter disappointment for Pagulayan’s army of home fans who gathered around TV Table Two at the Philippine International Convention Center, but the charismatic 2005 US Open champion can only have himself to blame following some lackluster performances.

An 8-2 win over limited Argentinian Gustavo Espinosa got Pagulayan, the competition’s fourth seed, off to a good start but he then slumped to a shock 8-2 defeat against the dangerous Li-He-wen of China.

That made today’s match a do-or-die affair and on-form Pagulayan, who won the World Championship in 2004, was expected to win. However, Lee had other ideas and he always maintained the pressure leading 4-1, 5-3 and 6-4 before ‘The Lion’ came back at him.

The encounter levelled up at 7-7 and with the Taiwanese player at the table he delivered his best break of the match, spreading the balls across the table. He held his nerve to run out and take his place in the last 64 at Pagulayan’s expense.

“I had no luck on the break and the balls didn’t run for me,” said Pagulayan. “It was the same in last night’s match but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Alex Pagulayan “Roars” undefeated again back to back at Bigwigs

The Canadian 30K Tour had the stop at Bigwigs this week end and the field was full with 64 anxious players. What a super time we had surrounded by friends, fans and foes too!!

The hype was up because Alex Pagulayan has too many fans locally and the word went around that He was going to play again.

The weather was a little chilly but clear with sunny skies, traffic was excellent and the field was loaded with good players again, but inside the place it was warm and cozy yet.

Ken Botham, Rob Blair and Jim Martin and staff all excelled in hosting the event; with associate sponsor Brian Bedford from Dunlop Billiards in Barrie being our MC today it had no choice but to go smooth as silk.

Alex Pagulayan, Chris Orme, Scott McDonald, Rob Brandenburg, Brian McDougall, Dennis Rhodes, William Arquette, Kevin Cardinal, Scott Soroko, Mike Roberts, Mike Leigh, Rob Blair, Ken Botham, Tol Kuy, Norm Glover, etc. They all had a chance to topple Alex with Brian McDougall almost getting hill-hill, but a bad landing on the 5 ball prevented the win.

The fans were not disappointed and remained glued to their seats as Alex played the final set against Dennis Rhodes. Alex played amazing and cruised to a 10-1 victory.

8 players will cash on Sunday at noon, 4 A side and 4 B side

Mike Roberts 9 vs. Dennis Rhodes 7 (match is 9-7) and Mike bested Dennis 9-3

Alex Pagulayan 9+ vs. Brian McDougall 7+ (match is 9-7) and Alex prevailed 9-5 after Brian missed position on a 5 ball.

The “Hot Seat” match was between Alex Pagulayan 9+ and Mike Roberts 9 (10-9 race) and Alex had a convincing score of 10-5 sending Mike to grind.

B side matches saw Mike Loponen 5+ vs. Chris Orme 9+ and Mike bested Chris 5-3, Chris settles 7/8th

Ryan Clements 5 vs. Mike Leigh 7 and Ryan prevails 5-2, Mike settles 7/8th

The next round sees Dennis Rhodes 7 vs. Mike Loponen 5+ (match is 8-6) and Dennis goes hill-hill and advances with an 8-5 score. Mike takes 5/6th

Brian McDougall 7+ vs. Ryan Clements 5 (match is 8-5) and Brian still hot from His loss, takes out Ryan with an 8-1 score. Ryan settles 5/6th

Dennis Rhodes 7 vs. Brian McDougall 7+ (match is 7-8) and it goes hill-hill again, but Dennis wins by a hair. (Very thin hair)

Dennis goes to meet Mike Roberts 9; this player had sent Him to grind the one loss side and Dennis gun is super loaded now…… Grind Dennis did and it goes hill-hill this time for Dennis, Mike Roberts settles for 4th

Dennis Rhodes 7 has to take the express train to the A side where Alex is patiently waiting for Him and after the formalities are concluded the score reflects the tale of the tape at 10-1. Needless to say Dennis was thrilled to have played Alex in the finals and as a courtesy He asked Alex for a note for Dennis son Adam. See the note in the pictures section. Alex once again has demonstrated the high caliber of player and fine person He truly is. Congratulations Alex and continue success as you move around the world.

Results:

1- Alex Pagulayan $2060*
2- Dennis Rhodes $1100*
3- Mike Roberts $700*
4- Brian McDougall $350*
5- Mike Loponen $180*
6- Ryan Clements $180*
7- Mike Leigh $90*
8- Chris Orme $90*

* Including calcutta

Pagulayan Places 3rd at the Predator World 10-Ball Championship

Alex stopped by Bankshot Billiards in Jacksonville Florida to compete in the Predator World 10-Ball Championship. This event put on by Charlie Williams and Dragon Promotions invited an international mix of top players including Canadians Tyler Edey, Luc Salvas, John Morra, Edwin Montal, Ronnie Wiseman and Alex Pagulayan.

On the final day it would be 23 year old American Shane Van Boening who has been making waves fresh off his second place finish at the EnjoyPool.com event that would earn the title World 10-Ball Champion. This young man is fast becoming one of the best players in the world.

Though we would have loved to see Van Boening and Pagulayan square off in the final, Alex would fall one game short with a shocking miss on the 10 ball double hill vs. Cliff Joyner.

Alex would settle for 3rd on his opportunity for a second World Champion title.

Morra, Salvas, Edey and Wiseman would narrowly miss their chance to get to the cash, though all three players earned impressive victories along the way.

While John Morra was competing with the men he was busy in the Junior tournament as well. Finishing 2nd in the World Junior 10-Ball Championship is no easy task but these days Morra is one of the top Junior players in the world.