INQUIRER Sports

IF THE LEADERSHIP PROBLEM in cycling and billiards is not settled soon, the Philippine Olympic Committee might take over in picking the country’s bets for the two sports in the Southeast Asian Games this December in Laos.

RP chef de mission Mario Tanchangco said the Olympic body took a similar tact in the face of a leadership crisis in archery during the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.

“The POC might take over, just like what happened to archery in 2007,” said Tanchangco, who is required to submit the official list of between 150 and 200 qualified athletes from 25 sports to the Laos SEAG organizing committee within the week.

Arturo Ilagan, the new Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines president who enjoys the blessing of the POC, is still being challenged by the group of Sebastian Chua, who heads another BSCP group.

Ilagan has already assembled a star-studded team featuring former world champions Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano in the men’s squad along with Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Dennis Orcollo, both former world No. 1.

“The BSCP has formed a strong team for the Games,” said Tanchangco. “We could easily win five golds with that lineup.”

Cycling also has two leaders who are forming separate national teams for the Games.

The POC has thrown its support behind Mikee Romero as PhilCycling president, but both the Asian Cycling Confederation and Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body for the sport, recognize Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino as cycling head.

To make matters worse, the Asian body has warned the POC that only the riders under Tolentino’s group will be allowed to compete in Laos.