RP's Alex Pagulayan bags World Pool Masters title

MANILA, Philippines - Alex Pagulayan showed why he is one of the top players to contend with in the world by winning the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters on Sunday (Monday in the Philippines) at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pagulayan downed compatriot Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 8-4, in the semifinals, then gave fellow former world champion Mike Immonen an 8-6 beating in the finals, according to a statement issued by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP). The title, his first ever this year, is worth $20,000 for Pagulayan, who once played for Canada in international competitions. "This was like winning the World Championship for me," Pagulayan said. "I've always wanted it, but I've finally broken the ice." Immonen pocketed the runner-up purse worth $10,000, while Bustamante, who won the tournament in 1998 and 2001, and Ko bagged $5,000 each. Efren "Bata" Reyes will join Pagulayan and Bustamante in Las Vegas at the Predator International 10-Ball Championship, which starts on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines). - GMANews.TV