US 9-Ball: Pagulayan rips Kiamco

Summoning his old fiery form, Alex Pagulayan blanked compatriot Warren Kiamco Thursday for his fifth consecutive victory in the US Open 9-Ball tournament in Chesapeake, Virginia.

The former World 9-Ball and US Open 9-ball winner displayed a near-flawless performance to follow up his 11-4 conquest of Stan Shuffet in the fourth round.

The victory earned for the Puyat Sports-backed Pagulayan a showdown with Dutch World 10-Ball champion Hudjee See.

Two other Filipinos fell to the losers’ bracket with Lee Vann Corteza and Antonio Lining dropping their matches.

Corteza, a standout of the Negros Billiards Stable, fell in a 9-11 upset to Kenichi Uchigaki.

Earlier, Lining bowed to American legend Johnny Archer, 3-11.

Lining actually stunned Ralf Souquet, 11-7, in the earlier round, before losing to Archer.

Jundel Mazon was also relegated to the losers’ bracket following a 9-11 loss to Uchigaki  in the fourth round.

Antonio Gabica and Jose Parica already kissed their title hopes goodbye after dropping back-to-back matches.