2004 World Pool Champion Alex Pagulayan has accused the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines of being vindictive following his refusal to participate in a TV program series being produced for Philippine television.
Pagulayan revealed that when he was called to a meeting about the TV show he made it clear that he was a professional and "money talks" adding that "if they want to use me and make money off me, I need to make money too". His statements were apparently not well received. Neither was his demand to be compensated. He said "so now they are getting back at me."
Pagulayan made the statement after the BSCP replaced him as a member of the four-man Philippine team that is scheduled to compete in the Guinness Asia 9-Ball Tour in Shanghai. China on August 3-5. He also said that he had "spent money for his plane fare to come, missed a couple of tournaments and exhibition matches" which deprived him of earnings. Pagulayan said its good that they did this so "I can now go to media and tell them what has been happening".
BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Pagulayan was replaced because he was "clowning around too much in the semi finals of the Singapore leg" of the tour. However, Fajardo admitted that the sponsors of the tour, Guinness and the TV broadcaster ESPN Star Sports had not complained about Pagulayan's antics which is an integral part of his character and which fans have often appreciated because, as Pagulayan says, "I entertain the fans".
Fajardo said the decision to replace Pagulayan with Jeffrey De Luna was made by the BSCP executive committee since the Guiness 9-Ball Tour was sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiards Union and the World Pool Association and the invitation to nominate two players was coursed through the BSCP which is the National Sports Association.
Pagulayan lost an exciting match against Malaysia's Ibrahim Amir 11-13 where both men played some great shots. ESPN reported that a visibly disappointed Pagulayan said "it was a bad loss for me to take because I really wanted to make my country proud and produce our first winner this year." Pagulayan said he was "hoping to make up for the loss in Shanghai" but has, by the action of the BSCP been denied that chance and he clearly feels bad about it.
File photo courtesy of Diana Hoppe - Pool Pics by Hoppe
