Pagulayan, Corteza advance in US 9-Ball

MANILA, Philippines - Alex Pagulayan and Lee Vann Corteza trounced their respective rivals to join three other Filipinos in the fourth round of the US Open 9-Ball tournament in Virginia Wednesday.

Pagulayan, a former world 9-ball champion, downed Grover Foster, 11-8, while Corteza smothered Michael Banks, 11-4, to make up for the loss of the other top Filipino cue masters.

Warren Kiamco edged Dennis Hatch, 11-10, Antonio Lining routed Basher Hussain Abdulmajeed, 11-1, while Jundel Mazon prevailed over Li Wen Lo, 11-6.

Antonio Gabica, however, lost to Jayson Shaw, 11-1, while pool legend Jose Parica bowed out with a 9-11 loss to Shane Jackson in the loser’s side.

Gabica needed to win his match against Tomoo Takano of Japan to stay in the hunt.