Alex Pagulayan: Career, Controversies & Net Worth
Alex Pagulayan is a Filipino Canadian professional pool and snooker player. Likewise, Alex is mainly known for his calm nature and incredibly humorous behavior.
Furthermore, Alex is a big-time fan of poker, chess, and basketball.
Moreover, Alex grew up watching the matches of fellow legendary Filipino pool players, Efren Reyes and Jose Parica.
In addition, Alex is a former Highest WPA-ranked pool player as well as a World Nine-ball champion.
Moreover, Alex plays in a dynamic style, producing the best trick shots you have ever seen.
Likewise, the versatility of Alex is respected by many professional pool legends.
Moreover, Alex idolizes the athletes such as Michael Jordan, Muhammed Ali, and Anderson Silva.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Alejandro “Alex” Salvador Pagulayan |
| Professional Name | Alex Pagulayan |
| Nickname | The Lion, The Killer Pixie, and Mungo |
| Date of birth | June 25, 1978 |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | Filipino, Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Asian |
| Age | 45 Years Old |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Place of birth | Cabagan, Isabela, Philippines |
| Current residence | Canada |
| Hobbies | Playing poker, basketball, and cooking |
| Food Habit | Non – Vegetarian |
| Sex | Male |
| Father’s name | Not Available |
| Mother’s name | Sonia Pagulayan |
| Siblings | Five (Three sisters and two brothers) |
| Profession | Pool Player |
| World Champion | Nine-Ball (2004) |
| Highest WPA ranking | One |
| Active Since | 2000 |
| Sponsors | Mezz Cues, Puyat Sports, and OB Cues |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 147.7 lb (67 kg) |
| Chest size | 30″ |
| Biceps size | 13″ |
| Waist size | 31″ |
| Shoe size | 11 (US) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Black |
| Marital status | Married |
| Wife | Michelle Cabansag |
| Children | Two (a son and a daughter) |
| Net worth | $6 Million |
| Social Media | Twitter, Facebook, Instagram |
| Merch | Break and Run |
| Last Update | April, 2024 |
Alex Pagulayan: Early Life, Family, and Education
Alex Pagulayan was born as Alejandro “Alex” Salvador Pagulayan, in June 25, 1978.
Likewise, he was born in Cabagan, Isabela, the Philippines, to Sonia Pagulayan.
Furthermore, he has five siblings, of which 3 of them are sisters, and 2 are brothers.
Moreover, Alex’s father managed a pool; thus, he was introduced to the pool very early.
Although Pagulayan loved the pool, he was interested in other sports, such as poker, basketball, and swimming.
Furthermore, Alex chose to play professional pool as he thought he wasn’t physical enough to play other games.
Alex moved to Canada at 13 with his parents; although he was born in Philipines, he was raised in Canada.
Likewise, Alex loves Canada but states that the Philippines is the most beautiful country on earth.
Moreover, Alex was humorous and attentive since his childhood.
Likewise, there is no exact information about the school and college Alex enrolled in.
Most importantly, the Lion was sure that he would shine as a pool player because of his determination and as his parents fully supported him.
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Alex Pagulayan: Age, Height, and Weight
Alex “the lion “Pagulayan is currently 45 years old.
Likewise, the former world number one is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs about 67 kilograms.
Moreover, Pagulayan has 30 inches of the chest, 13 inches of Biceps, and 31 inches of Waist.
In addition, he wears 11 US size shoes. The champion has black color hair and black color eyes.
Alex Pagulayan: Career
Early Career
Efren Reyes was the hero of young Alex and defied the limits to reach his hero’s goals.
Likewise, with his expertise in snooker, Alex helped the Philipines team win the Snooker gold medal at the SEA Games 2005.
Furthermore, the Philipines team won 3-2 against the Thailand team, and Alex became a three-time gold medalist.
Moreover, Alex’s teammates at the SEA Games were Joven Alba and Leonardo Andam.
Likewise, Alex is also very skilled when it comes to Nine-ball. For example, in the 2004 BCA Open, the Killer Pixie sank six balls on the break in the semi-final event.
But despite having an advantage, Alex lost against his fellow countryman Santos Sambajon.
Moreover, Alex is the kind of person who accepts and learns from his mistakes.
For instance, in 2002, Alex lost the US Open Nine-ball Championship to Ralf Souquet by 11–13.
Further, after three years, in 2005, he won it against Jose Parica by 11-6.
In 2003, the player scored a double victory at the Carolinas Open at Fast Eddie’s, with Canadian pool player Ronnie Wiseman.
Likewise, in that tournament, Wiseman won the one-pocket tournament, and Pagulayan won the nine-ball event.
Furthermore, at the ending of 2003, Pagulayan lost in the finals of the World Nine-ball Championship to Thorsten Hohmann by 10-17.
Likewise, the lion became Canada’s only world champion in 2004. Furthermore, in 2006, Mungo represented the Philippines and won the first national championship of the Billiards and Snooker Congress.
Additionally, Alex won P1,000,000 (US$20,639) prize money after winning the BSCP.
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Glory Years
Alex is only the second Filipino player to have run 100 balls in a straight pool. Alex won the World Summit of Pool nine-ball championship in 2007.
Furthermore, Alex beat American Shane Van Boening, 7-5, to win the prestigious title. Additionally, this match was recorded by ESPN for future broadcasts.
Likewise, in 2008, Pagulayan won against Mika. Furthermore, Mika had a heavy lead over Alex, but Alex won and performed a running man dance after beating Mika.
Moreover, in 2008, Alex won P300,000-Magnificent 7 Winner-Take-All 9-Ball Invitational second qualifier.
Furthermore, the Lion won the Guinness 9-Ball Tour and received the $15,000 check.
Likewise, in 2011, Alex won the Canadian Snooker Championships against Floyd Ziegler by 6–0. Moreover, he retained his title again in 2012.
Furthermore, in 2014 Pagulayan attended the Snooker Q School to qualify for the 2014 Wuxi Classic but didn’t qualify.
Likewise, he lost two more games and failed to qualify for the Australian Goldfields Open and the Shanghai Masters.
Alex is a dynamic player who never stops winning. Likewise, Pagulayan won the 2016 9-Ball Canadian Pool Championship.
Furthermore, he won the tournament going undefeated.
Moreover, to add to his incredible tally, Alex won the 2017 US Open 8-Ball Championship.
Alex Pagulayan: Controversies
Lawsuit
The humble Alex hasn’t been in many controversies, but he has gone through some troubles.
The former world number one filed a case against the Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).
Likewise, Mungo filed a P 6 million damages action case with Pasig Regional Trial Court on July 14, 2008.
Furthermore, he filed the case because the officials accused Alex of distracting his opponents, in addition to being a “disgraceful loser” and a “liar.”
Moreover, the Lion won the Singapore leg Guinness 9-Ball Tour, and all the officials wanted immediately accused him, disgracefully.
Switching Nations
Alex is a player who has dual citizenship in both the Philippines and Canada.
Moreover, Alex was born in the Philippines but was raised in Canada since he was 13.
Likewise, Alex’s agent states that he switched nations because of the political instability and obstacles Alex faced when he represented the Philippines.
Furthermore, representing Canada would mean that Alex would face fewer political obstacles and fully focus on his career.
Most importantly, Alex explains in an interview that he switched sides because of the high competition of pool in the Philippines.
Likewise, as the pool was how Alex was making his money, Alex had his crown taken; thus, he switched to Canada.
Moreover, during the 2012 World Cup of Pool, Alex and his teammate John Morra were eliminated by Filipino duo Francisco Bustamante and Efren Reyes.
Alex Pagulayan: Wife and Children
The poll champion with the heart of a lion and a person with killer work ethics, Alex, is married to Michelle Cabansag.
Moreover, Alex is married to Michelle Cabansag since 2012.
Moreover, the beautiful Michelle Cabansag and Alex have two beautiful children.
Likewise, the couple has a son and a daughter whom they dearly love. Sadly, there is not much information about the Alex’s family.
Alex Pagulayan: Net Worth and Career Earnings
In 2024, Earl Strickland currently has a net worth of $6 million.
Likewise, Alex mainly earns by playing pool and through some endorsements.
Moreover, Alex has also got prizes from the Philippines and the Canadian government for his incredible performances throughout his career.
Some of his career earnings are given below:
- 2006 Billiards and Snooker Congress of Philippines – P1,000,000
- 2008 Magnificent 7 Winner-Take-All 9-Ball Invitational – P 300,000
- 2009 4th leg of the Guinness 9-Ball Tour – $15,000
- P 6 million after winning the cases against Billiards and Snooker Congress of Philippines
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Alex Pagulayan: Charity
Alex has taken part in many tournaments for charity.
Likewise, Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is one of Alex’s foundations; Alex took part and won it.
Moreover, Alex also donates in his hometown Cabagan, Isabela, to children and orphanages.
Furthermore, the Lion was also part of the Inaugural Molinari Players Championship, supporting the Junior pool players.
Alex Pagulayan: Awards and Achievements
- Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame 2019
- WPA World Nine-ball Championship 2004
- Canadian 9-Ball and 8-Bal Championship 2012
- WPA World Tour Championship 2003
- Canadian Open Snooker Championship 2011, 2012
Alex Pagulayan: Social Media presence
Firstly, Alex is active on Twitter with over 1k Followers.
Similarly, the pool player is also active on Facebook, with over 12k followers.
In addition, he also has an Instagram account but isn’t that active on it.
Moreover, the professional pool player tweets and posts about memories, current scenarios, and various pool-related kinds of stuff.
Alex Pagulayan: Fun Facts
- Alex’s favorite color is Black.
- Likewise, Pagulayan was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2019.
- Alex has never won a competitive match against Efren Reyes, his childhood hero.
- Alex is the only person in his family to play golf for a living.
- Pagulayan loves Italian, Korean barbecue, and Japanese Yakeniko.
- Adam Sandler, Robert Deniro, Drew Barrymore are some of the Lion’s favorite actors.
- Alex wants to become a chef, life after the pool.
Alex Pagulayan: FAQs
Who is Alex Pagulayan’s fiercest rival?
Alex has mainly two fiercest rivals, and they were his toughest opponents. Likewise, Ralf Souquet is one of the toughest opponents he has faced.
Alex states that Ralf has a robotic playing style, and he is consistent under pressure.
The second of his toughest opponents are Dennis Orcullo; Alex says Dennis is hard to beat.
Which is the happiest moment for Alex Pagulayan?
Alex was the happiest person on earth when he won the World 9-ball title in 2004.
Most importantly, he felt love from his friends, fans, and families.
