It's been some time since the posters here were bombarded with the issues in Philippine Billiards. We owe it to you to at least update you...
BSCP, the Philippine National Sport Association (NSA) for Billiards - led by Yen Makabenta, Tony Baranda, Ernie Fajardo and Baste Chua - had just ended their mandatory 4-year term with much controversy. Because the group could not solve the rift within Philippine Billiards on its own, the Philippine Olympic Committee suspended the officials and used their emergency powers to supervise an over-due election among the Board of Directors. But after counting voting heads, Makabenta et al boycotted the elections and instead protested the voting list. There are now new executives in BSCP to assume the NSA functions, even while the ex-BSCP group has been threatening to bring the election issue for the courts. They filed a Temporary Restraining Order to stop the election but it was junked by the courts. The POC has informed APBU and WPA of the changes but there has not been any word from either body.
There are three immediate effects. One is that the players will no longer be under threat for not joining Raya tournaments. The second is that the BSCP will no longer be used as a front to solicit budget funds, donations and sponsorships for Raya Sports. Last is that there will be a united Filipino force to contend with now that Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica having pledged their allegiance to the new BSCP. Other players are expected to abandon Makabenta and company soon.
BSCP will put in new minds that will first examine the by-laws and segregate amateur from professional programs. The association will be brought back to the stakeholders and have younger minds bring in dynamism and credibility to the organization (Makabenta and company are all of retirement ages).
In the meantime, I would like to thank everybody at AZ in giving Philippine billiards a chance to move forward. This forum was very instrumental in what has become a re-shaping of Philippine billiards.
BSCP, the Philippine National Sport Association (NSA) for Billiards - led by Yen Makabenta, Tony Baranda, Ernie Fajardo and Baste Chua - had just ended their mandatory 4-year term with much controversy. Because the group could not solve the rift within Philippine Billiards on its own, the Philippine Olympic Committee suspended the officials and used their emergency powers to supervise an over-due election among the Board of Directors. But after counting voting heads, Makabenta et al boycotted the elections and instead protested the voting list. There are now new executives in BSCP to assume the NSA functions, even while the ex-BSCP group has been threatening to bring the election issue for the courts. They filed a Temporary Restraining Order to stop the election but it was junked by the courts. The POC has informed APBU and WPA of the changes but there has not been any word from either body.
There are three immediate effects. One is that the players will no longer be under threat for not joining Raya tournaments. The second is that the BSCP will no longer be used as a front to solicit budget funds, donations and sponsorships for Raya Sports. Last is that there will be a united Filipino force to contend with now that Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica having pledged their allegiance to the new BSCP. Other players are expected to abandon Makabenta and company soon.
BSCP will put in new minds that will first examine the by-laws and segregate amateur from professional programs. The association will be brought back to the stakeholders and have younger minds bring in dynamism and credibility to the organization (Makabenta and company are all of retirement ages).
In the meantime, I would like to thank everybody at AZ in giving Philippine billiards a chance to move forward. This forum was very instrumental in what has become a re-shaping of Philippine billiards.
