Dumaguete International 9-ball update (long)

Part II

On the TV table, Efren vs Niels Feijen. Neils is with his beautiful girlfriend (see picts) cheering him up in every match. The score is close with the alternate break format. 1-1,2-2, then Feijen makes 5-3 and then 6-4. Efren catches fire and makes it 6-6 and then 7-6 with Efren leading. Neils even it with 7-7. Then comes the crucial Feijen breaking. Feijen makes at least 2 balls and the next ball is 3. Feijen goes for the push out. The 3 is at the top right freeze at the rail. The CB is near the side pocket almost in line with the 3 but 1 inch further to the right, making it difficult to make a cut. And there are 2 balls also that are almost blocking the 3 with only a quarter of the ball could be seen. But Efren makes his way to the table not thinking of giving up the rack. He make a suuuppper thin cut on the 3 and makes it and the crowd roared in appreciation?.until the CB makes it way back to the right bottom pocket...the roar turns into a big disappointment and disgust. The score is 8-7 with Efren to break next. Efren breaks and makes 1 (or 2 balls?) but with a very difficult layout. But Efren the magician as he is, dissect surgically a very difficult rack until 3 balls left 7,8&9 with no problem ball in sight whatsoever. Then comes the heartbreaker (further heartbreaker) he miss an easy 7. And naturally Feijen has to accept the early Christmas gift from Efren making it 9-7 with Efren out of the tournament.

So I have to make my way again to the non-tv table with Wu Chia Ching playing a Filipino young gun (not mention by gopi in other thread) named Jec-jec Limen. In my estimation he is 3rd level player here as far as comment from the locals here including ?Abu? which is a 3rd level player here. But wonders of wonders he eat it up Wu Chia Ching as if he has not eaten for 3 days. The score is 3-0 not until Wu makes it 4-1 and then 6-1 in favor of Limen. And the final score is 9-3. And the vaunted Taiwanese team is decimated with the exit of Wu. And by the way Yang Chin Shun lost to 9-8 against Lee Van Corteza (? Not sure).

Limen have to play Gomez next but the new hotshot (i.e. Gomez) makes mincemeat of Limen blazing his way for 9-3 (or 9-4?).

On the other table Feijen with girlfriend in tow played with Satoshi Kawabata. The Japanese bring his A game with Feijen just coming from Efren?s match looks like an exhausted campaigner. The score early on is 6-2. But Feijen makes his way back with some appreciation from the crowd and makes it hill 8-8. With Kawabata breaking. But Kawabata has no shot on ball 3 (with 6 balls left) , so he played safe. But it is not a good safe giving Feijen a counter-safe chance. Unfortunately Feijen scratches the cue ball. And Kawabata closed the match with 9-8.

Then there?s Gallego and Stepanov who oust Bustamante both are coming from the loser?s side. With many crowd still around even late in the evening. Gallego looks like man on a mission blazing his way 3-0,4-0 until 8-0 and breaking?wow! Breaking for his last rack he makes at least 2 balls. He blazed through the first 8 balls with 9-ball waiting to make it a complete wash out?bang miss a not so difficult 9, making it 8-1. With Stepanov to break. But unfortunately, that?s the only rack that Stepanov could salvage with 1 more miss Gallego eat him alive with 9-1.

Then finally there?s the Souquet and Kiamco match. Kiamco started slow with the score of 4-0 for Soquet then 6-2. Kiamco was very frustrated with his breaks often times a dry break or even if there is one in, he has no sight on the next ball. But with a little patience and gutsy play he makes it 6-5. With Souquet to break. I thought the match could go hill-hill. Unfortunately Kiamco again suffered a series of dry break and unfortunate play. Making it 9-5 the last match to end.

Find pictures of the event below.

Until next time.

Some pictures



This is the poster for the event.



The TV table with Feijen against Efren.


Soquet against Johnny Archer with the score of 9-8 in favor of Soquet.

Pictures part II



Kiamco waiting for his next opponent. With Gallego and Stepanov making the lag at the background.



Neils Feijen with his girlfriend after his lost to Kawabata.



Soquet after he defeated Kiamco 9-5.

There are now 4 left on the semis and its all Filipino.
Its Alex Pagulayan vs Elmer Haya. Haya already defeated
alex in the elimination round.
Second match is Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego vs Jarry "Putol" Pelayo.
Pelayo has no defeat yet. He is the one who beats Yang Ching Shun
for 9-8 in the elims.

I'll post rack by rack account in a moment.
Just keep in touch.

Late Rack-by-Rack Account

Sorry for this late Rack-by-Rack account.
Actually i posted a live rack-by-rack account in WPC website.
However, wonder of wonders i cant enter AZ during that time
and gopi can attest to that.

So here's how it goes on the rack by rack account for Semi-Final No. 1

Elmer Haya (EH) vs Alex Pagulayan (AP) rack-by-rack account Semi-Final No. 1

Race to 11 , Alternate Break

Rack 1 - Elmer Haya (EH) wons the lag and breaks and makes a ball. He got a shot for 2 ball but came up short positionally by 1 foot. But EH makes a good recovery and makes a good position. Making 1-0 for EH with AP (Alex Pagulayan) to break.

Rack 2 - AP makes 2 balls but has a difficult shot on the 1. But he made a gorgeous shot on the 1 and has position on 2. Clears everything and almost bungle a position to 8 but recovers and makes it 1-1. By the way this is race to 11.

Rack 3 - EH makes the 1 ball on the break but no shot on the 2. He plays safe on 2 hiding the CB to pink 4. AP makes a kickshot but leave an open shot for 2. EH clears the 2 and almost bungles the position from 6 to 7 but he recovers and makes it 2-1 for EH.

Rack 4 - AP breaks but got a dry break. EH has no shot on the 1 but makes a kick safe but leave the 1 ball open for a shot. AP clears up everything for 2-2.

Rack 5 - EH breaks but got a dry one also. AP has a shot on the 1 makes a gorgeous draw shot for position to 2. Almost got careless on 4 to 5 position. He runs out from there and breaks EHs serve making 3-2 with AP to break next.

Rack 6 - (I'm out and didnt see the break). AP got a difficult shot on the 4 and on top of that the position for 5 is difficult. He plays safe but scratches the CB. EH got a chance to recover his lost break and got it making it 3-3 all w/ EH to serve.

Rack 7 - EH breaks and another dry break for EH. AP got another chance to breaks EH serve. AP seizes the opportunity and makes a run-out for 4-3 w/ AP to serve.

Rack 8 - AP breaks and makes the 1 ball w/ a very difficult shot on the 1. AP played safe instead but the 1 ball could be seen but a difficult one though. EH makes it and makes a position to 3. EH bungled the 5. AP seizes back the opportunity for a run-out and makes it 5-3 for AP but with EH to break.

Rack 9- EH breaks and a dry break again but with no clear shot on the 1 for AP.
AP played safe but 1 could be seen by EH. EH counters a safety but 1 could be
seen but with no shot though. AP makes a brave bank shot on 1 and made it.
He has a good position to run it out and he did for 6-3 AP and with his own break
next.

Rack 10 - AP makes 2 balls on the break with a shot on the 1 but there is a cluster of balls in the middle table. But AP solves the cluster balls by using good positions and makes a run-out for 7-3.

Rack 11 - EH breaks and makes 1 ball. EH bungled his from 2 to 4 but remarkably recovers it with a good shotmaking. EH makes a run-out for 4-7 for AP.

Rack 12 - AP makes a ball on the break and have a good layout for a run out. AP runs-out for 8-4 with EH to break next.

Rack 13 - EH breaks and a dry one again plus a scratch. AP BIH, capitalizes and runts-out for 9-4 AP.

Rack 14 - AP breaks and makes 1 ball with a shot on the 1 ball. He runs-out again and on the hill for 10-4.

Rack 15 - EH breaks and makes a ball and a fairly difficult shot on the 1. He misses the 1. AP makes the 1 & 3 but bungled the pink 4. EH runs-out to make
it 10-5 for AP and AP breaking for the match next.

Rack 16 - AP breaks and makes a ball for a run-out and for a place in the finals.

Final score is 11-5 for Alex Pagulayan.

Semi-final No. 2

Ramil "Bebeng Gallego" (RG) vs Jarry "Putol" Pelayo (JP) rack-by-rack account Semi-Final No. 2 (Jarry is undefeated going to the match)

Race to 11 , Alternate Break

Rack 1 - JP makes a ball on the break. Has a good run until the orange 5 hanging it on the jaw of the pocket. RG receives the gift and makes the run-out for 1-0 and he breaks next.

Rack 2 - RG makes 2 balls on the break and makes the 1 ball. Makes a combination shot from 3 to 9 and makes it. RG 2-0 with JP to break next.

Rack 3 - JP makes a ball but has no shot on the 1. JP played safe and its good. RG takes out his jump cue and hits the 1 ball. JP counters with a beautiful safe on the 1 ball and with no clear shot on the the 1. RG counters with a very aggresive kick shot with the 1 and makes it. He has a good layout as a reward and makes a run-out for 3-0 RG.

Rack 4 - RG breaks and makes a ball on the break. He has a good layout and runs-out the rack and makes it 4-0 for RG.

Rack 5 - JP breaks and makes a ball but no shot on the 1. He makes a push out but RG gives it back. He makes a safety shot on 2 but leave it open for G. RG interstingly does not get aggresive & makes a safety. JP counters but makes a fout for BIH for RG. RG makes a run-out for 5-0.

Rack 6 - breaks and makes a ball and almost making the 9 ball on the break. But a combination with 1 to 9 ends the rack for 6-0 for RG.

Rack 7 - JP makes 3 balls on the break with a shot on the 1. But he misses an easy shot on pink ! RG cleans it up and makes it 7-0.

Rack 8 - RG breaks and makes a ball and a run-out again for 8-0.

Rack 9 - JP makes a ball on the break and a run-out for the 1st tally on the board making it 8-1.

Rack 10 - RG makes a ball but has a difficult shot on the 1 and bungles it. JP clears out a difficult rack and breaks a serve for 8-2 for RG. JP breaking next.

Rack 11 - JP makes a ball and has a difficult bank shot on the 1 and bungles it. RG makes the 1 but has no shot on the 2 ball and elects a safe. JP makes a combination of 2 to 8 but instead makes a lucky slide on the 9 and another win for 8-3 RG. RG breaks next.

Rack 12 - RG breaks and its a dry break and left JP a fairly difficult shot on the 1. Makes the 1 ball and shot a safety shot on 2 ball. RG hits the 2 but leaves a shot for the 2 ball but JP bungles a golden one. RG got a not so easy rack though but still runs it out for 9-3 for RG.

Rack 13 - (I did not see the 1st part..hehehe)...JP fouls when he makes a kick shot and RG capitalizes on it bring it to the hill 10-3 with RG to break for the match.

Rack 14 - RG makes 3 balls on the break with a shot on the 2 ball. RG clears everything and makes it 11-3 and a trip to the finals against Alex "the lion" Pagulayan. It's an all filipino finals match up again.

Ramil Gallego wins 11-3 against Jarry Pelayo.

Alex and Ramil Gallego for the finals race to 13 alternate breaks.

Finals Rack-by-Rack account

Alex Pagulayan (AP) vs Ramil Gallego (RG) rack-by-rack account Finals

Race to 13 , Alternate Break

Rack 1 - RG makes a ball and has no shot on the 2 and elected to push. AP obliges but leaves a shot on the 2. RG makes a bank on the 2 but misses it. AP counters with a safe but fouls. RG BIH makes a runs out for 1-0.

Rack 2 - AP makes a ball on the break but has a difficult shot on the 1. AP opts to push out. RG counters a safe but fails with an open shot for a combination of 1 to 6. AP clears everything out and even it 1-1.

Rack 3 - RG makes a ball on the break with a shot on the 1. He clears a fairly difficult rack for 2-1 for RG. AP breaks next.

Rack 4 - AP breaks and makes a ball and a good shot on the next ball. Clears the rack for an even 2-2. RG breaks next.

Rack 5 - RG makes a ball on the break and has shot on the 1 but has a difficult rack ahead of him. It does not matter anyway, he clears the rack for 3-2 with AP to break next.

Rack 6 - AP makes a ball on the break with no shot on the 1. AP elected a push out. They make a counter safety each. But RG got lucky on the end by his strong kick shot and clears everything for 4-2 RG.

Rack 7 - RG makes a ball but with a difficult shot on the 1 and misses it. AP got a difficult shot on the 1 though but makes it but has no shot on the 2. AP misses the 2 and got another chance but scratches the CB. AP clears the rack for 4-3.

Rack 8 - AP makes a ball and has a good layout. AP clears everything and level it 4-4 with RG to break next.

Rack 9 - RG makes a ball on the break. He makes a bad position on 4 to 6. He played safety with only 3 balls left. He left AP a long bank shot on bottom right with CB on the top right. AP makes an aggresive bank and makes it and has to clear it out for 5-4 AP.

Rack 10 - AP makes a ball and has a good layout. He clears the rack with score of 6-4. RG to break next.

Rack 11 - RG makes a ball and has position on ball 1 but bungles it. AP has an easy layout ahead of him and naturally capitalizes the situation and clears everything making it 7-4.

Rack 12 - AP breaks and makes a ball w/ a shot on 1 ball. AP bungles the 1. RG makes a combination on 1 to 9 but got lucky rolls on 8 ball. RG takes a shot on 1 ball but leave it at the jaw of the pocket (bottom right). AP clears everything and makes it 8-4 AP.

Rack 13 - RG makes a ball but miss the next 1 ball again. AP clears the rack for the commanding lead of 9-4 with AP to break next.

Rack 14 - AP breaks and makes a ball but he misses the 3 ball. RG got a chance and clears the rack for the score of 9-5 with RG to break next!

Rack 15 - RG breaks and makes 2 balls. He got no shot on blue 2 though. RG elected for a push-out. AP responds with an aggressive kick-shot but leaves the 2 ball open. RG clears the not so easy rack makes the gap closer 9-6 for AP.

Rack 16 - AP breaks and makes a ball and a good layout ahead of him. Capitalizes on it and clears everything for 10-6 AP with RG to break next.

Rack 17 - RG breaks and makes 3 balls on the break! RG clears everything and makes it 10-7.

Rack 18 - AP breaks and makes a ball and got a good position on the next 1 ball. AP clears everything again but almost made a bad position on ball no. 4. AP padded the lead again 11-7.

Rack 19 - RG breaks and makes a ball and has a shot on the 1. But he has to make 3 difficult shots before clearing everything up and close again the gap for 11-8 for AP.

Rack 20 - AP breaks and a dry break at that but RG has no shot on the 1. RG elects for push out. AP gives it back to RG. RG makes a good kick-shot and a safe. AP counters a kick-shot and leaves a difficult shot on the 1 for RG. RG bungled a golden chance to make it closer by missing the 1 and leaving it open. AP clears the rack and is on the hill for 12-8.

Rack 21 - RG breaks and makes a ball with a shot on the 1 ball. Almost leaves the 1 ball hanging but it finally goes in. RG proceeds to clear the rack for the score of 12-9.

Rack 22 - AP breaks and makes a ball. He has a difficult draw shot on 2 ball but makes it with a good position for the next ball. AP clears everything until 9 but RG concede before AP could pot the 9. Making it 13-9 for the Championship.

Alex Pagulayan won the 1st International 9-ball competition in Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City.

Alex won 20,000 USD and Ramil Gallego settles for 10,000 USD.

Vahmurka said:

and I'm one of them. Don't forget Russian Petiza by the way! Strange you didn't catch any of us with your camera, or I could've said "that's me"
Kosta didn't know the rule that after 7th rack the players get automatic time-out, so when Django took his time-out Stepanov thought that Bustamante is taking it for the second time. He said it to the ref and he follows Django and forces him back! I don't blame Kosta for being unaware of the rule which is unusual, but I blame the local ref who didn't know the rule, otherwise he could've explained it to Kosta right away. They are friends with Bustamante, Django invited Kosta to his home when in Manila, so any contradiction was not intentional and we could only regret about that.

That's what I saw from very start to the end, how Bustamante hit the ball, either cueball or 9-ball, with his cue held in one hand. So that the ball jumps off the table high and hits the floor. And the floor in Dumaguete Convention Center is that a pool ball bounces like a ping-pong ball... Funny enough. I'm curious myself what could be the reason for Django to be so embarrassed that he quit the game, especially losing temper in such a way.

I've got plenty of pics as well but have to sort them out first, so don't know if they will be of any interest by that time.

Damn, we could probably have been beside one another with gopi-1 and CebuanoNiNoy and didn't even know that!

Click to expand...

Wow! So you're one of the russians watching around the table during the bustamante/stepanov match!
I could have said hi! if we just know each other..hehehe
I'm the one who is wearing shorts with rubber shoes and brown polo shirt.

Thanks for the info regarding their (Busta/Stepanov) confrontation. At least you give credence to my report and the same time clears up some things. Especially for those who are taking notice of Busta's behaviour lately.

Are you still in the Philippines or out already? or Probably you're also in Japan just like many other foreign players now..?

Russian Petiza by the way lost to Alcano a night before that in a money games playing rotation with a handicap of 45 to 75 (Petiza needs to get 45 or more to win). Alcano won 7-6 in a come from behind victory after trailing 4 to 6.