Pagulayan Sues Makabenta, Fajardo

Former world champion Alex Pagulayan yesterday filed a libel case against billiards officials Yen Makabenta and Ernesto Fajardo and asked for more than six million pesos worth of damages.

The Fil-Canadian cue artist personally filed his complaint in Pasig Regional Trial Court before 2nd Assistant City Prosecutor Maria Anunciacion Hipol. He was accompanied by his lawyer Alexis Abastillas-Suarez of Malaya-Sanchez-Anover and-Anover law firm. Marquee players Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Roberto Gomez and Joven Bustamante and Bugsy Promotions owner Perry Mariano were also with him for morale support.

Pagulayan filed a case against the respondents a year after the Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines officials accused him of ‘sharking’ (an act of disrupting ones opponent to win) in the Singapore leg Guinness 9-Ball Tour.

According to the 30-year-old Pagulayan’ sworn testimony, he was also called ‘disgraceful loser’ and a ‘liar’.

Pagulayan is asking for Php3Million for the supposed endorsement from Andoks Lechon before he was prevented by the BSCP from joining the next leg of the Tour and another Php3M for morale damages. He is also seeking Php500,000 for exemplary damages, Attorney’s fee of Php200,000, court trial fee of Php100,000 and additional Php50,000 for appearances etc.

On top of it, Pagulayan is asking for a maximum imprisonment of six years for both Makabenta and Fajardo. Meanwhile, Mariano, also an incorporator in the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines , bared there more lawsuits to follow.

“These cases being filed against abusive officials of the BSCP would vindicate everybody. There are more serious criminal cases to be filed soon so that the public and government would know the real issues,” Mariano said.

RP pool masters off to Qatar for 9-ball tournament

Manila, Philippines – Former World Pool champs Efren "Bata" Reyes, Alex Pagulayan, and Ronnie Alcano will lead the Philippine contestants going to Doha for the 2008 Qatar 9-Ball Championship, which starts on Friday, June 27, at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall.

The other contestants are current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, defending national champion Lee Van Corteza, veterans Warren Kiamco and Ramil Gallego, upcoming stars Joven Bustamante and Benjie Guevarra, and recent Villar Cup Cebu leg champ Gandy Valle.

The tournament offers total prizes worth $150,000, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

"I hope I could carry a momentum from my Villar Cup triumph," Valle said.

Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Orcollo, and Corteza are all seeded to the main draw. But Valle, Pagulayan, Alcano, Gomez, Kiamco, Gallego, Guevarra, and Bustamante still need to earn their spots in the 96-person main draw through the two-day qualifying tilt starting on Friday.

“The Lion” Alex Pagulayan is King of the Jungle, in Vegas

“The Lion” is King of the Jungle, in Vegas!!! Snaps off the Pool World Masters as well as wins the Action Challenge over Shane Van Boening! Former World Champion “The Lion” Alex Pagulayan earned $20K last Sunday night at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in snapping of the World Pool Masters. He also follows up with major win defeating 2007 US Open 9 Ball Champion Shane Van Boening.

In the final match, it was looking like it was all Mika Immonen as he was looking very dominant. “The Ice Man” has stepped up his game of late as he has been placing consistently in the top 5 in recent events. Alex was down 6-3 in the match, and was thinking to himself that it was a repeat of the World Pool Masters in 2006, but lost to Ralf Souquet.

But what proved to be the turning point of the match “The Ice Man” Mika Immonen, broke and made an illegal break as he only had 2 balls pass the headstring. “The Lion” Alex Pagulayan then showed Vegas who was the King of the Jungle as he wins the next 5 consecutive racks for the World Pool Masters Title.

“The Lion” Alex Pagulayan reprieved himself from his last “Action Challenge” match up vs 2007 US Open Champion Shane Van Boening. In a 3 day marathon race to 100 Challenge Match, Shane had Alex buried at one point by as much as 22 games down as it looked like Shane was going to easily cruise to the win.

Alex showed the fans who were watching it on TAR, as well as all of the people who were watching the match in person, what it is to have the heart of a Lion. After the first day the score was 30-24 Shane. On the second day, Shane incrementally increased his lead to 70-63.

On the third and final day of the race to 100, Alex at one point was down 22 games and was clearly on the ropes. In an impressive turn of events, Alex came out of his corner with a clever combination of tactical play, like a seasoned boxer looking to grind back points… and when saw opportunities to strike, started to combine racks like carefully placed punches.

Alex slowly grinded back to being 90-85 down, when Alex like an angry Lion in the jungle started to tear up his opponent in the field of battle. “The Lion” roared back to take the lead 99-92, and while Shane gave his fans some hope as he won the next two games 99-94, it just wasn’t enough to stop the momentum that Alex built up.

Alex Pagulayan proved to be the “Lion” in the Vegas jungle as he closed out the 2007 US Open 9 Ball Champ and last years former 10 Ball World Champion 100-94.

Pagulayan Wins PartyPoker Masters

Alex Pagulayan is the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters Champion as he came from behind to beat Mika Immonen 8-6 in the front of a packed crowd at the Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas .

The Filipino was 6-3 down at one stage and looking in severe trouble but the match turned on an illegal break by Immonen whereby he pocketed a ball but failed to carry two other balls past the headstring.

From there Pagulayan cleared to table to gain the necessary momentum and he became stronger over the closing stages to take victory.

“This was like winning the World Championship for me. I’ve always wanted it but I’ve finally broken the ice, “ said a jubilant Pagulayan.

“This is 9 ball and I couldn’t get too upset because I didn’t get a chance. I thought if he runs the set, then he runs the set but I knew that if I got a chance I would need to focus and concentrate and do the best I can.

“I really didn’t think I’d won it until the last 9 ball dropped but there were lots of people who like me watching and that was good for me to have that support,” he added.

Pagulayan made two balls from the opening break of the final and although Immonen got to the table, the diminutive Filipino took the rack for the early lead.

In contrast to the earlier semi-finals, there was another break that produced three balls but Pagulayan could not capitalise as he missed the 2 ball. Immonen took advantage to run out and level it.

A golden break from Immonen, as the cue ball kicked the 9 ball home, saw Immonen take the lead and he almost did the same again in the fourth, as the 9 ball hung in the pocket. The Finn pocketed the 1 ball and then made an easy 2/9 combination to go 3-1 ahead.

The 1 ball rolled into the corner pocket off the next break but Immonen made a bad miss on the 3 ball as he seemed to hit it too hard.

Pagulayan over hit his shot as he ran out of position on the 4 ball but he redeemed the situation with an excellent cut, gaining good shape on the 5 ball. From there he ran out to take the score to 3-2 to Immonen.

The Filipino made a schoolboy error in the next as he hit the 4 ball prior to hitting the 2 and with ball in hand, Immonen ran out to restore his two rack lead at 4-2.

The Finn took the next rack to move to 5-2 and all the pressure was now on Pagulayan. He responded well as he ran the next rack to reduce arrears.

There was disappointment for Pagulayan though as he scratched off the break in the next. The balls were laid out nicely and Immonen completed an easy run out to take his lead to 6-3.

Immonen made an illegal break in the next as he pocketed a ball but did not bring the requisite two others past the headstring. The punishment of loss of visit allowed Pagulayan back to the table and he made a tidy run out to get within two of Immonen.

Now playing with renewed vigour, he delivered a good break that gave him a chance to get right back into it and he duly responded as a break and run took him to within a rack of Immonen. Now on a roll, Pagulayan broke and ran the 12^th rack to draw level at 6-6.

Breaking from the centre of the table, Pagulayan deposited the 1 ball into the centre pocket and played a fine long reverse cut to down the 2 ball. In the zone now, Pagulayan completed his fourth rack in a row to move to the hill at 7-6.

Just when he needed some luck, Immonen returned to the table as Pagulayan scratched on the break as he drew the cue ball into the pocket.

There was disaster for Immonen as he drew the cue ball all the way down table and into the corner pocket as he went from the 1 ball to the 2.

With ball in hand, Pagulayan worked his way through the table and as he planted the 9 ball, he let out a yell of joy as he became 2008 PartyPoker.net

“It was brutal, why did it have to happen there?” said a disappointed Immonen.

“I was able to get a good lead but the illegal break was the real turning point as it gave him the opportunity to get back in it.

“He had some nice layouts but he played well and probably deserved to win. But that’s the way it is sometimes. I’m getting more consistent and the No.1 spot will come sooner or later,” he added.

Pagulayan KO's the Rocket

Alex Pagulayan (Philippines) became the first semi-finalist at the PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters as he defeated Rodney Morris 8-6 at the Riviera Convention Centre, Las Vegas .

It was an entertaining encounter that was thoroughly enjoyed by the Vegas crowd and Pagulayan enjoyed just the right amount of skill coupled with good fortune to see him across the line.

“I enjoyed that absolutely,” said Pagulayan. “I was nervous and a bit shaky but I think I played well under the conditions and tried really hard to focus. “In the end I had a bit more luck than him. Out there, under the gun, the table played tough but race to eight, with the TV and crowd, everything is tough,” he added.

They shared the early racks but Morris broke and ran the seventh to move into a 4-3 lead but the match effectively became a race to four when Pagulayan took the next following a dry break from Morris.

‘Come on make some balls!’ shouted Pagulayan after his next break shot and his wish was granted as two balls dropped.

He played a tidy safety but Morris escaped. He could not escape the next snooker as he flashed at a table length kick and missed the blue 2 by a long way. With ball in hand Pagulayan cleared the table to go into a 5-4 lead.

The Filipino scratched on the break though and with ball in hand Morris levelled it at five racks each.

A dry break though left the 1 ball on for Pagulayan via a cross table bank and although he made it, the cue ball stopped too close to the 2 ball so he was forced to play safe.

Pagulayan fouled as he tried to pot a hanging 3 ball via a bank off the top rail but missed the object ball completely. With ball in hand, Morris ran out to go 6-5 ahead.

There was a ball on the break for Morris but he missed a bank on the 2 ball. Pagulayan overran the cue ball going from 3 to 5 but rescued the situation with a good pot and he cleared the table to level things at 6-6.

A good quality snooker from Pagulayan forced Morris to play a two rail kick but he missed the 1 ball entirely. Pagulayan spurned his ball in hand opportunity as he missed a pot on the pink 4 but Morris missed a 4/8 combo himself and Pagulayan ran out to reach the hill at 7-6.

Pagulayan pushed out in the next and the two players exchanged safeties before Morris jumped the 1 ball into the centre pocket. The 2 ball wasn’t available so he played a safe. Pagulayan went for the bank but fluked the 5 ball, landing perfectly on the blue 2.

From there he ran the remaining balls to book his semi-final spot.

2008 World Pool Masters Site Starts Today

Matchroom Sport is delighted to announce that www.worldpoolmasters.com , the Official Online Home of the PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters, is now live.

With the tournament being held for the first time ever in Las Vegas, the site will be your first port of call for news, player profiles, results, stories and pictures of what promises to be a hugely exciting event featuring some of the world’s top players.

Four World 9-ball Champions – Daryl Peach, Mika Immonen, Ralf Souquet, Alex Pagulayan – will be taking part in the event as well as some of the biggest names in the game, including Shane Van Boening, Francisco Bustamante, Niels Feijen and Corey Deuel.

All will be vying for the $20,000 top prize.

The World Pool Masters will be taking place at the Riviera Hotel and Casino from Thursday 9th to Sunday 11th May with afternoon and evening sessions daily, concluding with the final scheduled to commence around 9.15pm on Sunday evening.

www.worldpoolmasters.com will feature exclusive interviews with the stars who make up the field as well as comments and predictions from the big names of world pool.

Bookmark www.worldpoolmasters.com today for full details and information about the 16th annual running of one of pool’s most prestigious events.

Pagulayan Wins Magnificent 7 Title

Former world champion Alex Pagulayan out-steadied Joven Bustamante in their race to 100 finals showdown to rule the Magnificent 7 Winner-Take-All 9-Ball Invitational second qualifier Saturday night at the Bravio Sports and Resto Lounge in Mandaue City.

Pagulayan came back from a six-rack deficit at the start of the match to fashion out a 100-91 decision en route to pocketing the P300,000 top purse and booking a slot to the grand finals of this series organized by Hilton Professional Cues and Bravio Sports and Resto Lounge and supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines with Fundador, Cebu Rajah Hotel, Sunstar, and Monster Radio BT105 as sponsors.

“It feels good to win this tournament, especially when you’re up against a field with world-class players and a couple of young stars,” said the 28-year-old World Pool Championship titlist in 2004, who also won the World Pool Masters last month.

“This victory also kind of boosted my confidence, which I need coming back here in the next couple of weeks for the Manny Villar Cup, which is my next target,” added Pagulayan.

Pagulayan and Bustamante made it to the finals after emerging as the top two players with the most number of racks won after the round-robin elimination. Bustamante, who won all his matches, came in with a 78-rack aggregate, while Pagulayan had 72, despite losing two matches.

But after Bustamante won the opening rack of the championship round, it was all Pagulayan show, as he took advantage of the former’s inconsistent break, while holding for his own to take away the fight and become the second winner of this one-of-a-kind event after former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle.

The tournament is the second of a series of winner-take-all competitions leading up to the grand finals slated in December.

It also serves as the preview to the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg, the biggest pool tournament to be held in the Queen City of the South, on June 20 to 22.

Besides Pagulayan, Bustamante and Valle, the others who competed in this three-day tournament were 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, Cebuano rising stars Marvin Gentapa and JJ Kid, and Mike Hilton.