The Lion blasts BSCP's bias; threatens to form new NSA for pool and snooker
ALEX "The Lion" Pagulayan lambasted the current leadership of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and described the group as the most disorderly National Sports Association (NSA).
Pagulayan, who is in Cebu for the 2007 Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge, alleged that BSCP is biased for some players and that he is deeply affected by their actions.
Aside from the bias, there is also a lack of program for the players. Because of these reasons, Pagulayan is now serious in his bid to put up an association for the billiards and snooker players, which he will try to work out once he returns to Manila.
"That's the first thing I would do once I'm back in Manila. I am already supported by 80 percent of the players, this includes Django (Francisco Bustamante and Efren (Reyes)," Pagulayan said.
Pagulayan had a good chance of making it to the 2007 Guinness 9-Ball Tour Grand Finals but was replaced by Jeffrey de Luna, who only has 40 points, going into the final leg of the tour in Beijing on Aug. 3 to 6.
Good chance
Only the top 10 will make it to the grand finals.
"I had a good chance of making it to the Grand Finals because I already had 70 points. Even if he will win the leg it is impossible for him to make it to the Finals because he needs at least 120 points to be in the top 10. The champion in each tour will earn only 70 points," Pagulayan said.
"Why don't they give chances to other players and keep the same lineup" Just like the Chinese Taipei team who are consistent in sending their team. Actually (what they had done) is unfair to the players and we (players) have to fix this problem," Pagulayan explained.
Antics
However, BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo defended their decision to replace Pagulayan with de Luna because allegedly of Pagulayan's antics during the semifinal round of the Guinness Singapore leg.
But according to Pagulayan, he was replaced because he turned down an offer to play in a tournament because he has prior commitments.
Pagulayan lamented that because he is already out of the Guinness tour, it would lessen his chances to make it to the World Pool Championships which will be held in Manila in November.
The Guinness Tour also serves as a qualifying event for the World Pool Championships.
"Aside from the date and the venue (of the WPC), there is no other information we get. We don't even know that they had changed the tournament format from round-robin to double-elimination. That is the job of the NSA to notify the players of the development of the tournament," Pagulayan said.
The other players who are not entered in the Guinness 9-Ball tour will have to wait for another qualifying tournament in order to get a spot for the 2007 WPC. (RCM)
The Lion takes on bigger 'prey'
AFTER winning the 2007 Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge Open Division title Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan will face a tougher challenge—uniting all pool and snooker players to form an organization.
The outspoken Pagulayan, who has become the subject of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines' (BSCP) rage when he allegedly refused to play for a pool tournament on TV. According to Pagulayan, that refusal led to his being replaced by Jefff de Luna in the final leg of the Guinness 9-Ball tour in Beijing.
However, BSCP said their reason for replacing Pagulayan from the tour, was because of his "unethical" behavior during the semifinal round during the Singapore leg, where he lost to Ibrahim Amir, 11-13.
According to BSCP, Pagulayan was "sharking" or was trying to intimidate Amir during a crucial point of the game.
However, Pagulayan insisted that he behaved well during his game.
"What they've done was unfair. It was unfair to me and unfair to the other deserving players. I had spent my own money for the Guinness tour but it went for naught because they replaced me with just anybody," Pagulayan told Sun.Star Cebu while having a break before he played Antonio "Gaga" Gabica in the finals.
It might be a hilly battle to convince his fellow players to put up an organization that would protect them, but Pagulayan is determined to lead billiard players and to have a voice inside the BSCP.
"It is safe that I already had 80 percent support from my fellow billiards and snooker players. This is a long overdue plan but it's never too late at all," Pagulayan said.
Pagulayan voiced his displeasure regarding the BSCP when he held a press conference together with the other Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge seeded players last Saturday at the Rajah Park Hotel.
(Reports from by Rommel Manlosa)
BUGSY BOSS BROKE THE SILENCE IN RP BILLIARDS ISSUE
BUGSY PROMOTIONS billiards boss Perry Mariano broke his silence regarding the situation of Philippine billiards today referring to 2004 Taiwan World 9-ball champion Alex Pagulayan and the officials of Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).
"It's the prerogative of BSCP to choose or remove players in the Asian Tour of Guinness. This was the practice now and even during the SMC tours. Alex Pagulayan also has the prerogative to ask for money as a Professional player." said Mariano yesterday in an interview at the Sulu Hotel along with sportsman and supporter of the youth Boy Umali, congressman of 2 nd district in Mindoro.
"But I will give you a general outlook on the Billiard's scene here in the country. Billiard here is not as lucrative as it looks as you can see there are few (tournaments) and some times none in a year. At this time if we want to serve the sport and create new champions, guarantee payments on appearance fee is not practical. If our known players insist on this we will remain low in tournaments and maybe someday be over-taken by other countries." Mariano added, manager of 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist Jeffrey De Luna, who replace Pagulayan, after the billiard federation saw Pagulayan clowning after his semi-final loss to Mindanao-born Malaysian Ibrahim Bin Amir in the fourth leg of Singapore Guinness 9-ball tour last July 16.
Mariano, director of the BSCP added. "I have met with players and have asked them what they want. They want more tournaments. Majority of our players cannot compete abroad and these players are the future of billiards in the country."
Mariano believes that when RP’s top players join local tournaments, this gives upcoming players a chance to hone their skills. "Tournament organizers want big name players to compete with new players in order to prepare the newbies for international events. With such a demand for local competitions, we can not afford to give the perception that local tournament organizers are exploiting the players. This will certainly discourage sponsors and promoters from local tournaments.”
He cited 1999 Cardiff World 9-ball champion Efren "Bata" Reyes, the Philippine pool idol. "Young and upcoming pool players can only play against internationally seasoned players thru local tournaments. Efren Bata will play without appearance fees."
Meanwhile, sportsman Umali brings a 13 years-old cue artists from Villa-Pag Asa, Bansod, Mindoro to Mariano.
"Nakita ko na may pag-asa 'yung 13 anyos na bilyarista na kababayan ko sa Mindoro sa larangan ng pool. Kaya nilapit ko kay Mr. Mariano (Perry) para mahinang ang kanyang angking talino. Naniniwala kasi ako sa kakayahan ng kaibigan kong si Perry." Said Umali, who cited the likes of Antonio Lining (Billiards), GM Joey Antonio Jr. (Chess) and Nelson Asaytono (Pro Basketball), are the world class players coming from Mindoro. (MARLON B).
ALEX PAGULAYAN IS AIMING TO PUT UP UNION
FOR THE WELFARE OF RP POOL PLAYERS
2004 World 9-ball champion and 2005 US Open 9-ball champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan is now serious in his bid to put up an association for the billiards and snooker players. In fact, the 29-year-old Cagagan, Isabela native is already supported by 80 percent of the players, this includes 1999 World 9-ball champion Efren "Bata" Reyes and former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante. The association aims of be the voice of Filipino pool players.
"Isa sa posibleng plano ko ay magtatag ng union dito sa Pilipinas o bumalik na lamang sa Canada." Said Pagulayan, who is fresh from winning the 2007 Cebu Open last Sunday.
Pagulayan was hurt when he learned that he was replaced in the fifth and final leg of Guinness 9-ball tour that gets going on August 3 to 5 at the Shanghai Hotel in Shanghai, China.
"Hindi man lamang ako binigyan ng notice ng BSCP basta tinanggal na lang ako. Sabi nila hindi raw ako seryoso sa paglalaro ko para sa ating bayan. Everybody naman ay may laps eh."
In a text message from BSCP that was circulated throughout the country said "The BSCP has withdrawn Alex Pagulayan as Filipino representative in Shanghai leg of the Guinness tour for conduct unbecoming in the Singapore leg. Jeffrey de Luna was named to replace him."
This writer received a text message from billiard fanatics who watched the intense game of Pagulayan and Bin Amir in Singapore leg, "I don't think his (Alex Pagulayan) being funny is negative. In fact, mas ok nga yun eh. Sobrang crowd pleaser si Alex. They loved him in Singapore. Kaya nga having him is good for the fans, the sports and the organizers. Ang labo kung yung ang dahilan ng conduct unbecoming."
BSCP president Ernie Fajardo said the decision to change the RP lineup was a prerogative of the BSCP executive committee.
While admitting there were some complaints regarding Pagulayan's behavior in his semifinal loss in the Singapore leg, Fajardo said the executive committee did not use it as reason for removing him from the RP team.
"Changing the lineup is a prerogative of the executive committee," Fajardo said.
Pagulayan, a multiple gold medalist in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games and the 2006 BSCP National Open champion, was seen clowning in his semifinal loss to Mindanao-born Malaysian Ibrahim Bin Amir in Singapore last July 16.
( Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO).
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