MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top cue artists yesterday hailed the election of a new set of officials in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and expressed hope that it will propel RP billiards to new heights and at the same time put an end to the long-drawn controversy that hounded the sport.
“We’re very happy with this development,” said pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, one of the new BSCP directors.
Former Project: Gintong Alay executive director Arturo “Bong” Ilagan and RP billiards godfather Aristeo “Putch” Puyat were voted president and chairman, respectively, of the BSCP.
“We players only want leaders who will protect our interest and ensure fairness, and with Mr. Puyat, Mr. Ilagan and the rest of the newly elected officials of our association, we’re confident we can get those,” said the 54-year-old Reyes.
“Mr. Puyat has long been supporting us, including young players, even in his private capacity, so what more now that he is one of the leaders of our national association,” said former world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo.
“With this new set of BSCP officers I’m pretty sure that there will be no more maltreatment, no more discrimination and no more abuse of power,” said Alex Pagulayan, a former world 9-ball champion.
The Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines president Vic Rodriguez vowed that his group would cooperate and work together with the BSCP, saying that they are looking forward to a “new era” in Philippine billiards.
Meanwhile, Ilagan clarified that the election was not hastily called and that all members, approved by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to vote, had been duly notified more than a month earlier.
He also cited the April 5 deadline set by the World Pocket-Billiards Association (WPA) for all Filipino players to affiliate themselves with the BSCP for them to be able to participate in all WPA-sanctioned events.