Alex Pagulayan Sues Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines

On July 14, 2008, Alex Pagulayan, one of the worlds best and most popular snooker and billiard player sued two executives from the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines.

Alex Pagulayan filed a P7-million libel suit against BSCP chairman Yen Makabenta and BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo before the Pasig Regional Trial Court while accompanied by his lawyer Alexis Abastillas-Suarez of the Malaya-Sanchez-Anover and Anover law firm.

Alex Pagulayan filed the cases against the BSCP officials after Makabenta and Fajardo accused him of “sharking” during his stint in last year’s Guiness 9-Ball Singapore leg that later cost him a slot for the national team in the next leg of the tournament.

Alex Pagulayan's representation claim the suit against the billiard association is strong.

“After a thorough evaluation of the evidence, we found out that we have a good case against officials of the BSCP. Alex Pagulayan’s stature as a world champion and national sports icon deserve nothing but accolade and respect. The respondents clearly put my client in bad light when they accused him of sharking before the international media,” said Alexis Abastillas-Suarez.

Because of the alledged wrongdoing, Alex Pagulayan is asking moral and exemplary damages. He claims that a P3-million endorsement deal from Andok’s Litson alone.

“I was accused of something I have never done. It was never my intention to put myself and the country in shame. Ngayon, bahala na ang korte ang magdesisyon kung sino ang tama at mali sa pangyayaring ito,” said the 29-year-old Fil-Canadian, who rose to prominence after winning the 2004 World Pool championship.

This lawsuit is reminiscent of a similar accusation in 2007 against the 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.

Alex 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.”

Alex 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. Alex 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 Alex 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 Alex 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 Alex 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.

Alex 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 Alex 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.” Alex 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.

Players mentioned in this news article include:

Alex Pagulayan

Title: Alex Pagulayan Sues Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines
Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
Published: 7/15/2008 7:05:00 PM

Alex Pagulayan Sues Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines Comments

Renae from OH, United States on 11/19/2008 9:59:01 AM
I think that Alex Pagulayan has the right to sue them for accusing him of doing something like sharking. They robbed him of not only the prize money but from the opportunity to represent his country. I wish Alex Pagulayan the best of luck and hope to see him shooting pool again in the future.

Loloy Daemonic from Philippines on 6/1/2009 5:12:15 PM
Issues like these put the BSCP in a very bad light. As a sports organization, they are doing things very politically e.g. "you rub my back and I rub your back" which is in fact very unsportsmanlike. I believe this is why BPMAP started, because of the idiocies of both Yen Makabenta and Ernesto Fajardo. In choosing a pool players for an upcoming tournament, they should hold qualifying games instead of using politics.

Frenchie from Newmarket, ON on 6/23/2009 11:19:17 AM
I've known and shot pool with Alex Pagulayan since before he was even famous! He was only 15 years of age when I first met him.

He is one of the funniest people I have ever met on a pool table. He has always been an entertainer, and I have never ever seen him lose his cool! He is a true gentleman at any venue he plays in. It is too bad if the BSCP can't take a joke. We as pool enthusiasts can take a joke, and we love to see the number one pool player in the world make us smile and laugh.

Good luck Alex!

Wishing you all the best, "Frenchie" and all your friends at Bigwigs Billiards in Newmarket Ontario, Canada.

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