SACKED LADY CUE ARTISTS ASK POC’S HELP

The country’s top lady cue artists asked the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to look into the injustices they suffered at the hands of three officials of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) capped by their arbitrary removal from the national team.

In their letter to POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Rubilen Amit, Iris Ranola and Mary Ann Basas stated all their grievances against BSCP chairman Yen Makabenta, president Ernesto Fajardo and director Tony Barranda, including the negligence and abuses they committed against them.

“It is with disappointment that we, former members of the Philippine Women’s National Billiards and Snooker Team, must write this letter. However, we felt the need to do so to make you and everyone aware of the issues and abuses that we were subjected to by officials of our national sports association (NSA),” they said.

“We want to be heard and let the world know the abuse and injustices we have suffered at the hands of (Makabenta, Fajardo, Nidea and Barranda).”

Despite consistently bringing honors to the country, the three, along with their long-time coach Boyet Asonto, were dropped from the national squad after they were unable to participate in an event organized by Makabenta’s private firm Raya. They allowances were cut off thru the refusal of Fajardo to endorse their request to the Philippine Sports Commission.

The team maintains that the allowances they receive is a reward for their performance in the past two Southeast Asian Games.

“We have heard that our allowances have been diverted to other players and coach who have not won any honor for the country at all.”

Amit was a double gold medalist in the 2005 SEA Games and successfully defended her 9-Ball title in the 2007 SEAG. She was also the runner-up in the 2007 Women’s World 9-Ball Championships.

Ranola was a bronze medalist in the 6-Redball Snooker in the 2007 SEAG, a runner-up in the prestigious 2008 US Open, and was named the Rookie of the Year by the WPBA.

Basas was the silver medalist in the 2007 SEAG and finished in the top 16 of the 2008 Women’s World 9-ball tilt.

“We respectfully ask the Office of the Honorable President of the POC to take a closer look at the attitude of these BSCP officials, and the grave injustice they have committed against us. It is important that every one understands and uphold the mission statement of the NSA, and that no one is above and bigger than the game.”