2016 US Open One Pocket Championship
Recap
Published April 13, 2026
Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan won the 2016 US Open One Pocket Championship. The Filipino-Canadian player previously won the 2004 World 9-Ball Championship and 2006 U.S. Open Pool Championship, demonstrating success across multiple pool formats.
Pagulayan defeated veteran American player Corey Deuel in the final. This was Deuel's second runner-up finish at the event, following a loss in 2013 to Dennis Orcollo.
One pocket play differs from nine-ball pool in its emphasis on patience, precision, and tactical strategy. Pagulayan's competitive success across different game formats earned him the Lion nickname.
Other recent US Open One Pocket Champions include Efren Reyes (2000, 2011) and Shane Van Boening (2012). Pagulayan's 2016 championship placed him among the event's elite winners and reinforced his status as a top international player.
The championship demonstrated Pagulayan's ability to compete successfully in multiple pool disciplines.
Sources: Alex Pagulayan – Wikipedia, List of U.S. Open pool championships – Wikipedia
This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.