Something’s seriously wrong in the Philippine billiards scene.
After the formation of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) early last February, many of the country’s most outstanding billiards players are not taking part in this year’s inaugural World 10-Ball Championship starting Sept. 29 at the PICC.
“It’s sad to see great billiards players like former world champions like Ronnie Alcano, Alex Pagulayan and Efren “Bata” Reyes and world No. 1 Dennis Orcullo missing from the tournament. They’d done so much for us,” said a diehard pool follower. “How will people feel to watch the event played by foreign players when our own top players are not participating?”
Held under the auspices of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines headed by president Ernesto Fajardo, the event will be promoted by Raya Sports’ Yen Macabenta, who is also BSCP chair.
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Why did the country’s top players shy away from the tournament?
The BMPAP players are reportedly very unhappy with the way their sport is being handled by billiards officials. As a matter of fact, this group of disgruntled players, representing a virtual cream of the crop, renounced its membership with the BSCP and vowed not to take part in all events organized and promoted by Macabenta.
Composed of professionals, the BMPAP subsequently registered with the Games and Amusements Board, the ruling body for pro sports.
On the issue of the absence of the country’s billiards icons from the 10-ball championship, Macabenta said, “It would be good if everybody would take part.”
Competing in the $400,000 10-ball event, which stakes a fat paycheck of $100,000 for the champion, are reigning world 9-ball champion Daryl Peach of Britain, Chinese-Taipei’s Wu Chia-ching and two familiar faces in the local billiards scene: bald-headed Ralf Souquet of Germany and Johnny Archer of the United States.
Spearheading the Philippine campaign are former Asian snooker titlist Marlon Manalo, Doha Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica and rising star Jeffrey de Luna.
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What caused the BSCP-BMPAP breakup?
The main reason why the BMPAP bolted the BSCP is the latter’s alleged abuse of power and lack of respect for BMPAP name players, notably Pagulayan and Alcano. Another reason is the alleged refusal of Macabenta’s group to publicly account for the millions which he had received from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in staging the 2006 and 2007 World Pool Championship here.
In the case of Pagulayan, the former world champ was suspended from the Guinness Asian 9-Ball Tour without just cause. As a result, Pagulayan filed a libel case against Macabenta and Fajardo.
On the other hand, Alcano was similarly treated with disrespect when he was driven away from a qualifying tournament of the Guinness Asian 9-Ball Tour. With Alcano at that time were Warren Kiamko and Lee Van Corteza, also both veteran internationalists.
