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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Breath of fresh air for PH billiards

Breath of fresh air for PH billiards

Published Jun 16, 2026 03:10 pm

At A Glance

  • The newly-formed National League for Billiards Sports of the Philippines (NLBSPh) is right on cue as it tries to chart the future of the sport that is dear to Filipinos.

The newly-formed National League for Billiards Sports of the Philippines (NLBSPh) is right on cue as it tries to chart the future of the sport that is dear to Filipinos.

“Buhayin natin ang sport, manalo ulit at pangalagaan ang athletes. ‘Yan ang focus natin,” said Atty. Wharton Chan, the NLBSPh president, during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media room.

Chan, also Philippine Olympic Committee secretary-general and Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas president, said the NLBSPh is taking over the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines, which for various reasons were suspended and expelled by the POC.

He said the newly-formed body for local billiards will make sure that things are run smoothly following their ‘formal recognition’ from the International Billiards and Snooker Federation and Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports, and the POC headed by Abraham Tolentino.

“Papakinggan natin lahat,” added Chan, referring to all stakeholders in Philippine billiards, during the forum presented by San Miguel, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

Legends Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante will lead the coaching staff for the national team.

Chua was joined by snooker player Basil Hassan Alshajjar and coach Francisco dela Cruz.

“Masaya po kami ngayon at ganado po kami mag training,” said Alshajjar, who welcomed the arrival of the new federation that will take care of the sport in the country.

“Masayang masaya kami at may mga bago agad kaming tables,” said Dela Cruz.

With Chan in the NLBSPh executive board are secretary-general Kevin Wong, treasurer Dr. Paulo Pagteilan Jr., executive director Roselyn Hung, and executive director for external affairs Alfredo Ferrer.

Related Tags

Efren \"Bata\" Reyes Django Bustamante Philippine billiards
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