PLAYERS belonging to the Billiards Managers and Players
Association of the Philippines yesterday rose to the defense of their managers
on the issue of the 40-percent cut the managers are taking from their earnings.
"Wala kaming problema sa 40-percent na kinukuha sa amin dahil
alam namin na kulang pa ’yan na pantakip sa ginagastos nila sa amin," former
double world champion Ronnie Alcano said in response to accusations the players
are being exploited by their managers.
"Sa suweldo lang na ibinibigay nila sa amin mahirap nang
mabawi dahil hindi naman kami laging nananalo, eh ‘yung ibang ginagastos pa nila
sa amin gaya ng pabahay," he added.
Alcano, along with former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy
Valle and upstart Carlo Biado, challenged those criticizing the managers to come
out and show what they have done for the welfare of the players. The three are
playing under the Bugsy Promotions stable of businessman Perry Mariano.
"Hindi kami magpapadala sa mga paninira dahil alam namin kung
sino ang totoong may malasakit sa bilyar," said Valle. "Si sir Perry ang
kauna-unahang manager na nagbigay ng suweldo kahit nung hindi pa sikat ang mga
player niya.
"Nagpapasalamat nga ako dahil patuloy pa rin ang pag-aalaga
nila sa akin kahit wala pa akong naipapasok na malaking pera," Biado said.
Responding to accusations, particularly coming from BSCP
Chairman Yen Makabenta who also doubles as a promoter, that some managers are
exploiting the players by taking a 40-percent cut on their winnings, Mariano
dared Makabenta to name names.
"He should name names," said Mariano, who also challenged
Makabenta to open the books of the BSCP.
"Magpakitaan kami," he said. "I’m willing to show my book."
Mariano said that according to his records, one of his
players have brought him a total commission of P3.5 million over the past
three-and-a-half years. He claimed, however, that he spent at total of P3.8
million for same player, including his salary and expenses such as housing,
training, travel, and competition allowance, over the same period.
"That’s a negative P300,000," Mariano pointed out. "If you
take a look at the record of my second top-earner, you will see that I lost
around P1.3 million on him.
"So that’s P1.6 million already, from my top two players! How
about the other 14 na halos walang naipapasok pang pera sa akin pero
ginagastusan ko na?" said Mariano, who has 16 players under his wings.
"Handling players is not an easy job, much more a profitable one. The
percentage we get from the players’ winnings is not enough to cover the
expenses, especially if you are giving monthly allowance–which in my case ranges
from P8,000 to P50,000–with or without them playing," he added.
