Billiards group ignores dispute, eyes medal haul in December SEAG

MANILA, Philippines – Barring any possible sanctions from its international federation, the Philippines could very well dominate the billiards events in the 25th South East Asian (SEA) Games in Laos. This was according to Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Arturo “Bong" Ilagan, who made a bold prediction that the team that will carry the country’s colors this December can collect at least half of the 10 gold medals at stake in the said event. You can’t help it if Ilagan is oozing with confidence of a good showing since he has on his side the country’s finest male and female pool players who have proven their class not only in Southeast Asia but in the world event as well. “We will assemble the best and strongest billiards team ever," said Ilagan as the country hopes to rebound big after producing only three gold medals in the 2007 Thailand SEA Games after an eight-gold haul in the 2005 edition held in Manila. So deep the pool of talents that Ilagan has in his arsenal that world renowned pool players Efren “Bata" Reyes and Roberto “Superman" Gomez has decide to give way for slots to the 8-ball and 9-ball events. Instead Reyes will anchor the country in the carom and English billiards while Gomez will banner the snooker team. “Efren is already a master playing carom. He has represented the country in past SEA Games in the event at mas ease siya rito kumpara sa 9-ball. Gomez started taking up snooker the past months and he likes the game. With our two best players playing in this event, we will also be a force to reckon with," claimed Ilagan. The gold medals however will be pinned on the 8-ball and 9-ball events with former WPA number one player and Predator 10-ball Championship winner Dennis Orcollo joining hands with Alex Pagulayan, Renato Alcano and Francisco “Django" Bustamante representing the male while Rubilen Amit, Iris Ranola and Mary Grace Basas will compete in the women’s side. Pagulayan is a triple gold medalist in the 2005 SEAG while Alcano, who won two gold medals in 2005, is the defending champion in the 8-ball competition. Amit is a two-time defending 8-ball champion in the SEA Games. BSCP, being supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), is currently embroiled in a leadership dispute with the rival group of Sebastian Chua, who the other BSCP president recognized by the International Billiards and Snooker Federation. Ilagan’s group, however, remains confident they will eventually gain the international recognition with the POC endorsement. “Our focus is the formation of the team. Tryouts are still ongoing and we will officially name the team by September." – GMANews.TV