If plans push through, the Philippines will lose out on several Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) gold medal chances in billiards. Arturo Ilagan, Jr., the national sports association head for billiards wrote the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) that perennial SEAG gold winners which include Dennis Orcollo, Iris Ranola and Rubilen Amit will not be playing in the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games.
In a letter dated Dec. 26, Ilagan stated that instead of the proven veterans, younger players will be fielded.
PSC Chairman Richie Garcia said although he has heard of Ilagan’s intent, he has not seen a copy of the letter. However, his reaction was that it was a step in the wrong direction for the billiards group. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) deems billiards as a priority sports.
The Philippine Star reports that Orcullo, Ranola and company have signed up with the PSC as “priority athletes” and receive 40,000 pesos monthly as training stipend as part of the national team. With this decision, the Philippines might not win any golds in the sports.
