BMPAP HEAD MARIANO SLAMS BSCP PRESIDENT ILAGAN IN CUE ARTISTS’ EXODUS ISSUE

BILLIARDS Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head Ceferino “Perry” Mariano blasted Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines president Arturo “Bong” Ilagan reacting the latter’s statement against the possible exodus of former double world champion (WPA 8-ball and 9-ball) champion Ronato “Ronnie” Alcano who are now leaving the country to teach billiards in the Middle East in the absence of regular competitions and support from the National Sports Associations (NSA) and the government.

“Sana huwag na sana siyang (BSCP president Bong Ilagan) sumagot kasi hindi n’ya naman alam ang status ng bilyar ngayon. Hindi n’ya nga alam kung sino talaga ang magagaling at ang mga paparating na player,” said Mariano, also the president of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions, who manages the careers of some of the country’s top cue artists headed by Alcano, reigning International Predator 10-ball champion Dennis Orcullo, 2007 World Pool Championships finalist Roberto Gomez, Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle, among others.

Mariano reacting the statement of Ilagan, a former Gintong Alay executive director who appear in a broadsheet newspaper as Ilagan quoted as saying “It’s their choice,”

“Dapat hindi siya (BSCP president Bong Ilagan) defensive dahil pinapa-alam lamang namin (BMPAP) ang sitwasyon ng mga player natin. Ang maganda dapat kausapin niya ‘yung mga player at kailangan ng solusyon,” Mariano added.

“Alam naman natin may problema sila (BSCP) at ang mga player’s pero dapat hanapan niya ng solusyon. Wala nga silang (BSCP) regional tournament kaya masisi ba natin ang mga player na mangibang bansa para magturo gayong wala ngang torneo ang BSCP,” said Mariano, who is planning to hold the country’s first-ever Inter-Collegiate billiards competition later this year to discover future world class cue artists in the grass-roots level.

“Madali siyang (BSCP president Bong Ilagan) magsalita kasi hindi naman siya ang nagpakahirap sa mga player at dugo’t pawis ang puhunan namin mga manager (BMPAP) sa mga player natin,”

Mariano also reacting about 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball gold and 8-ball silver medal winner Antonio “Ga-Ga” Gabica.

“Wala pang isang taon si Gabica sa Doha na sinasabi niya na isang taon ng nagtuturo. Nitong Disyembre lamang umalis si Gabica sa bansa at nag pa alam pa nga sa akin bilang dati niyang manager,” last word of Mariano.

The former US Open 9-Ball runner-up Alcano, meanwhile will play in the Asian games qualification tournament this coming Monday at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila.

“Sinabi ko kay Ronnie (Alcano) na maglaro siya ng qualifying sa Asian Games sa Lunes,” said Mariano.

National Billiards coach Boyet Asonto is supervising the said qualifying event for the right to represent the country in the forthcoming 16^th Asian Games (also known as the XVI Asiad) Cue Sports Competition will be held in Guangzhou, China on November 12 to 2.

Gomez and Orcullo, took the first 2 slots in the ASIAD qualifying after topping the 8-ball and 9-ball competition.

Gomez dubbed as “Pinoy Superman” in the local pool, defeated fellow Bugsy team mate Orcullo, 13-11, in the finals of 8-ball competition last Monday while Orcullo edged hall of famer and greatest player of all time Efren “Bata” Reyes in a thrilling 13-12 decision win in the finals of 9-ball competition on Wednesday.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.