MANILA, Philippines - Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, who’s been associated with billiards practically all his life, is putting the fate of the sport Filipinos love so much into his own hands.
“We will look after the welfare of our players,” said Puyat, who was recently elected president of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).
“We need to look for new talents, the younger ones. We don’t have upcoming players,” Puyat, who was elected BSCP president last July 9, said yesterday.
While the Chinese have started to rely on players as young as 17 years, the Philippines continues to pin its hopes on veterans like Efren Reyes and Dennis Orcollo.
Even in the women side, there’s no one else to rely on except Rubilen Amit and Iris Ranola for international competitions.
“There are no young guys of note coming up. Walang parating. There’s no one following in the footsteps of our veterans. We need to find new talents,” said Puyat.
He said if he can’t put everything in order in one year, he can vacate the post and give way to someone else.
“Maayos lang sana and if we can find a new godfather for billiards,” said Puyat, who was elected along with North Cotabato Rep. Bernard Piñol (chairman) and Mahar Mangahas (treasurer).
Perry Mariano will serve as secretary general while Ish Caparas will handle the international affairs for the BSCP. Puyat will replace Bong Ilagan as BSCP president.
Mariano said there’s a lot to be done in billiards, especially in the field of snooker where the Philippines is trying hard to develop players with just one snooker table.
“Can you imagine that with more than 7,000 islands we only have one snooker table? It’s a classic example of the state of billiards in our country,” Mariano said.
“We will do what needs to be done,” he added.
The Philippine Olympic Committee was not represented during the last BSCP elections because the POC was not informed 15 days prior to the exercise.
But POC spokesman Jose Romasanta said as long as the BSCP by-laws were followed and that there is no contention, the POC will have to recognize the results.
“They can write the POC regarding the results of the elections. And as long as nobody contests the results then they won’t have any problem,” said Romasanta.
“Or we can hold another election,” said Puyat.