MANILA, Philippines -- There’s new-found unity in the billiards front.

In an effort to protect their ranks and keep the sport’s lofty status, the country’s top players and their managers have formed the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

The organization’s prime movers are businessmen and player managers Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, Perry Mariano, Jonathan Sy and Edwin Reyes.

Puyat manages Hall-of-Famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, former world champion Alex Pagulayan and former world No.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante.

Mariano heads Bugsy Promotions, which has a stable of star players led by former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 2007 World Pool Championship runner-up Roberto Gomez, Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica and silver medalist Jeff de Luna as well as former World Pool League titlist Dennis Orcollo.

Sy leads the rising Negros Billiards Stable, which has reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza and veteran internationalist Rodolfo Luat on its fold.

Reyes, on the other hand, handles former World Juniors campaigner Renemar David and other rising players.

Puyat said the BPMAP will complement the programs of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines, the sport’s national sports association.

“Just like in basketball, where the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas taps the services of the PBA whenever it wants to send the best team to international competitions,” said Puyat. “Here, the BPMAP is more than willing to lend its top players to the national team.”

“This organization will help keep the Philippine tag as the world epicenter of billiards, the home of the world’s best cue artists,” said Mariano.

According to Mariano, the BMPAP will coordinate with the Games and Amusements Board because of the players’ status as professional athletes.