By ROY MEDINA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Days after two groups went head-to-head by staging major billiards tournaments in Metro Manila, master cue artist Efren "Bata" Reyes spoke for the first time and clarified his organization's stand on what has now been called a major rift in the Philippine professional tour.

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• Statement of Efren "Bata" Reyes
"Mariin naming pinabubulaanan ang alegasyon na kami ay binayaran para sumali sa Villar," Reyes said, referring to the tournament organized by and named after Senate President Manuel Villar at Starmall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

"Ang aming paglahok sa torneong ay kusang-loob at bilang pasasalamat kay Senador Villar sa kanyang suporta," he added in a letter sent to media organizations.

Reyes, dubbed "The Magician" in the international pro circuit, also said that the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), will not join tournaments organized by the rival Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines as long as it (BSCP) is led by "incompetent" people whose only aim is to make money out of the players.

Reyes is BMPAP vice-president.

The BSCP-sanctioned Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup, which is part of the Philippine Pool Tour, is ongoing at the Mandaluyong City Hall. It is being organized by the group of BSCP head Yen Makabenta, the same man who brought the World Pool Championship to Manila in 2006.

The BMPAP led by managers Perry Mariano, Putch Puyat and Jonathan Sy demanded early this year of reforms in the BSCP and Makabenta's resignation. Players who have notched their names in the international circuit likewise joined reform calls.

Makabenta's critics said he is using a double standard in the BSCP because he also heads Raya Sports. The sports outfit runs Pro Tournaments.

BMPAP also complained that Makabenta has failed to focus BSCP on the development of amateur players, which is part of its mandate as a National Sports Association.

The BSCP chief has dismissed the allegations. He said that he has always looked after the players' welfare. With a report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News