Asian pool body okays RP factions

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines got a big break yesterday after the Asian Pool Billiards Union decided to grant temporary recognition to both factions claiming to be the rightful representatives of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines.

Philippine Olympic Committee deputy secretary-general Mark Joseph announced the development which will serve the RP billiards team in good stead as it prepares for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November.

“The Asian Pool Billiards Union has made a decision today to recognize both BSCP factions as temporary members of APBU until the Philippine court rules with finality in this case,” said the chief of the RP swimming association.

A leadership struggle has kept RP billiards in a delicate position over the last couple of years, with Sebastian Chua and Yen Makabenta heading one group, and Bong Ilagan and longtime billiards patron Putch Puyat heading the other.

The dispute has often caught the Filipino cue artists in the crossfire, having to decide for themselves which side to lean on, and therefore skip tournaments, both local and international, being supported by the other group.

Joseph welcomed the APBU move since the Philippines can now field a team to the Asian Games without having to deal with the problem of which faction to recognize.

The RP billiards team won a gold and two silvers in the 2006 Asian Games.

“The implication is that the POC recognition of (Bong) Ilagan is affirmed. And there will be no impediment to the Philippines fielding our team to the Asian Games,” said Joseph.

“But despite the court case, the POC recognition of Ilagan’s election, done in compliance with the BSCP by-laws and the POC rules, stands,” said Joseph.

On Chua’s side are players led by Marlon Manalo while on Ilagan’s side are the better ones led by Efren Reyes.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping had always hoped for a unified team, a dream team, in billiards, saying he was willing to support the players regardless of their affiliation.

Ilagan the other day bared his group’s candidates for the Asian Games following a series of qualifying tournaments. The final composition of the team, he said, will come in September after a thorough evaluation of the candidates.

So far, Ilagan has 14 players in his list. They are Roberto Gomez, Dennis Orcollo, Warren Kiamco, Marlon Manalo, Leonardo Andam, Benjie Guevarra, Romeo Grandea, Rodolfo Luat and Reyes in the men’s side; and Rubilen Amit, Irish Ranola, Mary Ann Basas, Zemonette Oryan and Floriza Andal on the women’s side.

Other big names like Django Bustamante, Ronnnie Alcano and Antonio Gabica, a gold medalist in Doha in 2006.. Bustamante did not get through the qualifying phase while the two others have opted to work in the Middle East as billiards instructors.