Pagulayan files libel case vs BSCP officials

Reigning world pool masters champion Alex Pagulayan filed libel charges against officials of the Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) yesterday, seeking more than P6-million arising from lost opportunities in  the sport and from a commercial endorsement.

Pagulayan filed the charges before the Pasig City prosecutor’s office against BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo and chairman Florentino Makabenta.

Pagulayan was accompanied by his lawyers Alexis Abastillos and Noel Malaya and fellow billiard players Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Joven Bustamante, and Roberto Gomez.

In his 17-page affidavit-complaint, Pagulayan, 30, said the two BSCP officials accused him of “sharking” his opponent, Malaysian Ibrahim Bin Amin, during the fourth leg of the Guinness 9-ball Tournament in Singapore last year.

 The Filipino-Canadian cue artist was also banned to play in the next leg as he was, according to BSCP officials, also allegedly accused of involvement in game fixing.

Pagulayan, who received $20,000 prize for winning the 2008 World Pool Master in Las Vegas, said he was disturbed and suffered mental anguish following the accusations against him.

As a result, Pagulayan said he lost a P3 million endorsement from a chicken company.

Pagulayan said he was able to play in the first leg of the Guinness Pool Tour held in Taiwan and the third leg in Jakarta but was no longer included in the fifth leg in Shanghai because of the BSCP officials’ accusations.

He bagged the World Pool Masters crown last May in Las Vegas but admitted that at times during the tournament, the  charges of the BSCP officials distracted him.