FIL-CANADIAN ALEX PAGULAYAN defeated Mika Immonen of Finland, 8-6, in the finals of 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters Champion to emerge over-all champion in the front of a packed crowd at the Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas on Monday.
The Cabagan, Isabela native 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, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports Stable
"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." He added.
"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," last word of Pagulayan.
Pagulayan road's to the finals after beating stablemate former world No.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 8-4, in the semi-finals to arrange a titular showdown with Immonen, a similar 8-4 winner over reigning WPA World Junior Champion Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan.
In the finals, 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 12th 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.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
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