ALEX Pagulayan reached the semifinals of the World 9-Ball Championship after nipping Ko Ping Chung of Chinese Taipei, 11-10, in Doha, Qatar.
Pagulayan, who now represents Canada in international play, is on the verge of repeating his feat in 2004 after reaching the Final Four where he will take on Albin Ouschan of Austria.
Pagulayan won despite trailing 0-5 but was able to close the gap and eventually tied it at hill-hill, 10-10. Ko missed a long shot at the 2-ball and Pagulayan was able to clean the rack.
“I just want to relax. But I love playing 9-ball again. It brings a lot of enthusiasm, inspires me a little bit. I’m just taking it one game at a time and don’t take it too seriously,” said Pagulayan.
Pagulayan faces Ouschan, who beat Jayson Shaw of Great Britain, 11-7, in the quarterfinal match.
Shane Van Boening of the United States and Cheng Yu Hsuan of Chinese Taipei battle in the other semifinal bracket. Van Boening beat Alexander Kazakis of Greece, 11-9, while Cheng defeated Dennis Grabe of Estonia, 11-3.
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