BY CHRISTINE MONCADA
THE Billiards Managers and Players Association of the
Philippines yesterday announced plans to form a league to provide the country’s
top professional cue artists a venue to hone their skills.
In a statement, BMPAP prime mover Perry Mariano said a
non-profit Philippine Professional Billiards League is in the offing, aside from
other events.
Mariano said BMPAP incorporators are now discussing the
formation of the PBBL with possible sponsors.
"The PPBL is not only good for the players but for the
strengthening of billiards program in general," said Mariano, manager of several
players led by former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 2007 world pool
championship runner Roberto Gomez and 1998 Asian Games gold medalist Gandy
Valle.
"We will formally announce the projects when it’s 99 percent
sure."
Mariano also cleared the issue regarding the reported player
boycott of the 2008 WPC slated late this year.
Several players earlier this week said they will not
participate in any event organized by Raya Sports, a promotions outfit owned by
BSCP chairman Yen Makabenta. But Mariano explained the WPC is not a Raya Sports
event but a Matchroom Sport tournament.
"Let me clear the issue of the boycott controversy. First of
all, if there are no events, how do you boycott a non-existing event?" Mariano
said. "The word boycott I think is still far from reality."
In a manifesto presented to Games and Amusements Board
Chairman Eric Buhain last Monday, several pool players reiterated their claim
there is "corruption" and "dictator-like leadership" in the Billiards and
Snookers Congress of the Philippines.
