‘The Lion’ reigns
in Hope billiards

QUEZON CITY — Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan added the Hope P1-M All-Filipino Billiards Open II championship to his vast collection, beating defending champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 15-14, in a heart-stopping contest before a big crowd at the LS-2 of IBC 13 in this city on Sunday.

Finding Bustamante a much-tougher opponent in their second meeting in three days, Pagulayan dug deep to his bag of tricks to salvage the win and nail the prestigious title and the P500,000 top prize put up by Hope in cooperation with Puyat Sports and Jemah Television.

It was the second major title in as many months for Pagulayan, who also ruled the Canadian Open last month.

But the Hope All-Filipino title proved to be a lot sweeter for Pagulayan.

“Sa wakas nanalo din ako dito sa atin. It feels so good to finally win here in the country. I really feel like half a million peso richer,” said Pagulayan, the 26-year-old Filipino-Canadian from Toronto, Ontario who bagged his first-ever championship in the country.

That Pagulayan did it against Bustamante, the same man who defeated him in the Hope All-Filipino Open I last February, made it doubly sweeter.

The sweet taste of success came into reality when Pagulayan sank the money ball on the final rack, only few moments after Bustamante gambled on holing the blue ball via a cushion shot instead of making a push.

When Bustamante missed, Pagulayan knew the title belonged to him.

“Akala ko magpu-push lang siya, pero tinira pa din niya. Ang sabi ko, pag-nagmintis akin na ito dahil maluwag na ang lamesa,” explained Pagulayan, who also dedicated his victory to his son nicknamed Simba.

Bustamante, who also dropped a 3-9 decision to Pagulayan in the quarterfinal round late last Friday, settled for runner-up honors and the P200,000 cash prize.

Former world champion Efren “Bata” Reyes and three-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist Lee Van Corteza, the losing semifinalists in this prestigious competition, brought home P50,000 apiece.

Reyes lost to Bustamante, while Corteza succumbed to Pagulayan.

Other victories

Aside from beating Bustamante and Corteza twice, Pagulayan also defeated qualifier Carlo Viado, 9-3.

Before eliminating Reyes, Bustamante won over Antonio Lining, 9-1, and Jeffrey de Luna, 9-0, and Antonio Gabica, 9-4, in the eliminations.