Pagulayan captures back-to-back titles in US pool circuit

FILIPINO pool master Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan kept his winning run in the American pool circuit intact by ruling the 2012 Southern Classic 9 Ball Championship last Wednesday at the Accu-Stats Simonis Arena at Harrah’s Casino and Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi, United States.

Pagulayan nipped fellow world 9-ball champion Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer, 7-6, to bag the coveted crown.

Pagulayan beat Shane Van Boening of the U.S. to get into the final, while Archer beat another Filipino entry Warren “Warrior” Kiamco to advance to the championship match against the Filipino.

In the previous round, Kiamco of Pasil, Cebu beat countryman and world 8-Ball titlist Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo, preventing three Filipinos from advancing to the Last Four.

It was the Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan’s second straight title in the US pool circuit following his triumph in the Diamond 10 Ball Challenge over the weekend where he crushed Landon Shuffett of the USA, 15-10, in the final.

“Alex did his best to put the country once again in the world map of sports. He deserves our congratulations,” said Philippine billiard God Ffather Aristeo “Putch” Puyat. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino