FILIPINO-Canadian Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan settled for third overall in the 36th annual US Open 9-Ball Championships at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia, USA.
The Toronto-based Pagulayan, playing under the banner of sportsman/businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, failed to repeat his title victory in 2005 after suffering back-to-back loses against Darren Appleton of Great Britain, 7-11, for the hot seat match in the winner’s bracket and against Shawn Putnam of the USA, 8-11, in the loser’s bracket for the last final berth.
Appleton, the current US Open 9-ball champion will play Putnam for this year’s title.
Other Filipino cue who saw action in the event were Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza, Jose “Amang” Parica, Antonio “Nickoy”Lining, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, Antonio “Ga-Ga” Gabica, Jundel “Jano”Mazon, Deomark “Deo” Alpajora, Israel “Amay” Rota and Mhett Vergara. /correspondent Marlon Bernardino