POC urges billiards groups to settle row

Patch things up then learn to co-exist.

This is the piece of advice Philippine Olympic Committee Jose “Peping” Cojuangco could offer amid the brewing controversy that has left and kept local billiards out of cue over the last few days.

Cojuangco urged the warring Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines and the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines to follow the footsteps of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

“Why don’t they (BSCP and BMPAP) look at the way the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas handled themselves?” said Cojuangco in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s along UN Avenue.

The SBP was formed last year and has so far enjoyed a harmonious relationship with the PBA, a professional league, the PBL, the UAAP and the NCAA as it runs its basketball programs. 

“They can do this with billiards and snooker because they do have professionals,” added Cojuangco who, however, stressed that the POC has no plans of interfering in the billiards row.

“The POC cannot interfere with the affairs of an NSA (national sports association),” he said, adding that as long as the two parties keep their lines open, there’s a very good chance for them to co-exist.

“As long as it’s in a rightful manner,” he added.

The BSCP, under chairman Yen Makabenta and president Ernie Fajardo, came under fire last week when a band of managers and players, including the country’s best, staged a “revolt.”

The managers, led by Perry Mariano, and the players, headed by Efren “Bata” Reyes and Django Bustamante, formed the BMPAP after strongly questioning the leadership of Makabenta and Fajardo. 

But the BSCP has vowed to continue functioning as the rightful NSA that is recognized by the POC.

Cojuangco urged the warring parties to settle their differences and stop using the media for their respective purposes. He confirmed BMPAP representatives recently visited him.

“The group went to my office so I advised them and suggested that they mend their differences amicably instead of raising this issue in public because I said it’s not good for their sport. I’m afraid it has reached that level already,” said Cojuangco.

The BMPAP members no longer consider themselves part of the BSCP, although the players maintained that they are willing to represent the country in international competitions if called upon, just like the PBA players.

Cojuangco also denied reports that the people behind the BMPAP came to him seeking POC recognition.

“No, they did not ask for recognition. They just voiced their particular opinion. And I made a suggestion that they patch things up among themselves, and don’t try to make things more difficult than it already is,” said the POC president.