POC looks into players plaints vs BSCP head

THE PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee will look into the complaints of the country’s top cue masters against the top officials of the Billiards and Snooker Confederation of the Philippines.

“I have received the complaints of the players and we’re in the process of reviewing it to resolve the matter,” said POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. yesterday.

In their letter to Cojuangco, the players led by Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Rubilen Amit and Iris Rañola sought the removal of BSCP president Arturo Ilagan, secretary general Robert Mananquil and coach Irineo Guttierez over alleged misdeeds that they claimed have eroded the national team’s confidence in the BSCP.

The players enjoy the backing of  BSCP chair and long-time billiards godfather Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, who had challenged his fellow officials in the association to step down and submit themselves to new elections.

Cracks began to show in the BSCP when Orcollo, who topped the world rankings last year, was initially excluded from the Philippine lineup in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia while Rañola was listed in only one event (9-ball) instead of two.

After Cojuangco and Puyat intervened, Orcollo was reinstated in the SEA Games team. Orcollo captured a gold medal while Rañola won the women’s 9-ball and 8-ball golds.

Early this year, the players accused Gutierrez of tampering with the attendance sheets, which are being used as basis for their monthly allowances from the Philippine Sports Commission.

They also accused Ilagan and Guttierez of abusing their power by using the release of their allowances to stop their protests.

Ilagan has refused to comment on the players’ allegations.

Meanwhile, the BSCP, in a recent special meeting without Ilagan, decided to add 12 more members to the six-man BSCP board, among them players’ manager Perry Mariano, Jaime Chongo, former North Cotabato Rep. Bernardo Piñol and players Orcollo, Bustamante, Amit and Rañola.

“We haven’t received a notice of election from the BSCP,” said Cojuangco.

The POC must certify the BSCP’s list of newly installed members first before the association could elect new officials.