Pagulayan, Orcollo banner 2009 World Pool Masters field

Former world 9-ball champion Alex “The Lion" Pagulayan

and former World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo will banner the field in the 2009 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters on May 8-10 in Las Vegas.

According to the event’s promoter, Matchroom Sport, the prestigious event will be held at the historic Riviera Hotel and Casino with 16 of the world’s top cuemasters vying for the $20,000 champion’s purse.

Pagulayan will seek to defend the Masters title which he won last year over another ex-world titlist, Mika Immonen of Finland.

Orcollo will try to sustain the top form he has shown in 2008 - a year highlighted by at least six months atop the rankings 1 on wins in four international competitions and a spate of other strong finishes - in the single-elimination tournament.

The Filipino pool stars will contend with the likes of Immonen, five-time Masters champion Ralf Souquet, reigning World 10 Ball Champion Darren Appleton, Challenge of Champions winner and 2007 World Cup titlist Fu Jian-bo of China and 2005 World Pool Masters victor Raj Hundal, now representing India.

Also in the roster are multi-titled Niels Feijen of Holland, Tony Drago of Malta, Nick van den Berg of Holland, Imran Majid of England, Shane Van Boening and Johnny Archer of the US, Alain Martel of Canada, the rising star of the women’s game, 21-year-old Yu Ram Cha of Korea, and teenage sensation Ruslan Chinakhov of Russia.

Pagulayan focused on 2 Ps: perseverance and patience

Alex Pagulayan surely knows how to get on top, he’s been a world champion. And he knows that it takes more than luck to get there.

“Sipag at tiyaga,” quipped the jovial cue artist. “That’s the key.”

“I’ve never won a big tournament on my first try before I won the 2004 World Pool Championship I was the runner-up in 2003, before I won the 2005 US Open I was the runner-up in 2004,” he added.

“It’s never easy to get on top, but it’s not impossible to do if you have those traits perseverance and patience.”

Pagulayan hopes that these qualities would carry him to more victories and he hopes to start 2009 on a high note as he vies in the Sen. Manny Villar Cup Panagbenga leg from February 20 to 22 at the SM City Mall in Baguio City.

The 30-year-old pride of Cabagan, Isabela, competed in three of the five legs last year of this prestigious island-hopping series, presented by Sen. Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports. He failed to win a title with his semifinals finish in the Cebu leg as his best showing.

“I’m preparing hard, as I want to win the Villar Cup and dedicate it to Senator Villar, whom we Filipino billiards players are very thankful to for supporting our sport. Wala kaming maisusukli sa kanya but to play our best every time.”

To win the Villar Cup, one has to play his best against the field studded with a mix of world-class veterans and a crop of promising upstarts.

Besides Pagulayan, other marquee players competing in the tournament, sponsored by Camella Communities, are Efren “Bata” Reyes, Ronnie Alcano, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Lee Van Corteza, Antonio Lining, and last year’s leg winners Warren Kiamco (Alabang), Gandy Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan), Roberto Gomez (Davao) and Rodolfo Luat (Bacolod).

Also making it to the 32-man main draw are 10 players from the BMPAP rankings in Carlo Biado, Russian Petiza, William Millares, Benjie Guevarra, Michael Feliciano, Elmer Haya, Egie Geronimo, Ricky Zerna, Godofredo Ducanes and Rene Mar David, as well as 2008 Search for the New Billiards Idol grand winner Mike Takayama.

The BMPAP also awarded the two wild card slots to top Filipina player Rubilen Amit and Canadian Gerry Watson.

The remaining six slots will be filled through as qualifying tournament slated on February 17 and 18 at the Bowling Inn in Taft Avenue , Manila .

Billiards Events Set for Vegas

World Pool Masters and International 10-Ball Championships Set to Rock the Riviera

The BCA Pool League is proud to announce the return of two of the most prestigious professional events to the Riviera Hotel and Casino May 2009. The 17th Party Poker.net World Pool Masters and the 9th Annual Predator 10-Ball Championship will be in the Royale Pavilion once again along side the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships.

The World Pool Masters, one of the most revered invitational events with a limited field of 16 players is produced by Matchroom Sport and will take center stage first at the Royale Pavilion May 8-10. A large supplier of sports programming worldwide, Matchroom Sport also produces other well regarded events such as the Mosconi Cup and the World Cup of Pool in addition to Darts, Fishing, Pokes, Snooker, Boxing, Tenpin and Bowls.

Equally exciting, the Predator 10-Ball Championship produced by Dragon Promotions will move into the pavilion May 11-16. The tournament boasts a roster of the top pool talent from across the globe. Last year’s winner Tony Drago of Malta, considered one of the fastest players in the world, will have an opportunity to defend his 2008 title. Once again he will have to face players such as Shane Van Boening, Mika Immonen, Johnny Archer, Francisco Bustamante, John Schmidt, Efren Reyes and the 2008 World Pool Masters winner Alex Pagulayan just to name a few of the illustrious names who will be in attendance.

Watch for links on the BCA Pool League web site at Playbca.com for more information and tickets to the professional events. For more information about Matchroom Sport and the World Pool Masters please visit Matchroomsport.com and for the Predator 10-Ball Championship visit Dragonpromotions.com.

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BCA Pool League (BC APL), playBCA.com, National
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Bar Table Championships.

World Pool Masters and International 10-Ball Championships Set to Rock the Riviera

The BCA Pool League is proud to announce the return of two of the most prestigious professional events to the Riviera Hotel and Casino May 2009. The 17th Party Poker.net World Pool Masters and the 9th Annual Predator 10-Ball Championship will be in the Royale Pavilion once again along side the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships.

The World Pool Masters, one of the most revered invitational events with a limited field of 16 players is produced by Matchroom Sport and will take center stage first at the Royale Pavilion May 8-10. A large supplier of sports programming worldwide, Matchroom Sport also produces other well regarded events such as the Mosconi Cup and the World Cup of Pool in addition to Darts, Fishing, Pokes, Snooker, Boxing, Tenpin and Bowls.

Equally exciting, the Predator 10-Ball Championship produced by Dragon Promotions will move into the pavilion May 11-16. The tournament boasts a roster of the top pool talent from across the globe. Last year’s winner Tony Drago of Malta, considered one of the fastest players in the world, will have an opportunity to defend his 2008 title. Once again he will have to face players such as Shane Van Boening, Mika Immonen, Johnny Archer, Francisco Bustamante, John Schmidt, Efren Reyes and the 2008 World Pool Masters winner Alex Pagulayan just to name a few of the illustrious names who will be in attendance.