Philippine billiards have changed through decades — shifting venues, new champions, political storms and global expectations.

But through all of it, Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines president Aristeo “Putch” Puyat has remained the one constant, a steady hand guiding a sport built in the quiet confidence of ordinary Filipinos who grew up believing that greatness can rise from a single table in a crowded hall.

His world is a mix of legends and young stars, of global promoters and local hopefuls, of past glory and future promise. Yet, amid all those moving pieces, Puyat stands firm, serving as the sport’s unshakable custodian.

For him, billiards was never a mere pastime. It was heritage, livelihood and destiny of countless young players who are dreaming of making it big someday.

“We started the business with our founder, Gonzalo Puyat. He was the first to make billiard tables here,” Puyat said in an episode of “Off the Court,” the weekly online sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE.

“For many years up to the 70s and 80s, we were the ones making tables. That’s how we became patronized. The players had their own tournaments and we helped them. It evolved and we created Puyat Sports to propagate the sport.”

At 85, the businessman remains sharp, and his legacy speaks for itself. He handled the careers of Filipino pool icons who eventually earned places in the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame — Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Jose “Amang” Parica and Carlo Biado.

His family legacy is intact. In fact, it is engraved in almost all billiards hall around the country: Puyat Sports.

Billiards godfather

Support for Filipino cue artists was never halfway for Puyat. 

The University of the Philippines alumnus recalled mounting tournaments in the country — not just to attract global stars but to help Filipino players earn enough to continue playing and training.

“When they join, they earn. If they don’t have enough money, we finance their trips but more importantly, we hold events for them where they can gather,” the amiable Puyat said.

“You need money. Players expect to be paid. Many promoters fail because they can’t pay prizes on time.”

That investment paid off in more ways than one. His wards went on to conquer the global circuit, collecting titles that cemented the Philippines’ reputation as a pool powerhouse.

One unforgettable memory came during the iconic 1997 “Color of Money” event in Hong Kong, where Reyes faced American great Earl Strickland. 

Puyat admitted that even he was doubtful, worried over the Filipino legend’s ability to dig himself out of an imposing 17-rack deficit heading into the final day.

“Those three days were long. On the third day, Strickland was leading. It was hard to win,” Puyat said.

“Most of us went back home except for my brother Jose. Efren was still trailing Earl Strickland and he still won.”

Boosting the grassroots

Puyat said he will never get tired developing future champions.

His newest project, AJ Manas, emerged as the Most Valuable Player after powering Team Asia to its second straight Reyes Cup title last October at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Puyat said Manas’ journey began inside one of their billiards centers.

“He was nine years old back then. I told his father he (Manas) will be good at billiards but I don’t want him to stop studying,” Puyat said. 

“I told him ‘You will be the one to replace Efren.’ He already has fans in Vietnam.”

The 18-year-old sensation validated that prediction with a fearless run in the Philippine Open Pool Championships, reaching the quarterfinals before bowing to Scotland’s Jayson Shaw, 3–11, to walk away with $4,250 — or roughly P250,000, a sum that is enough to keep him training for big-time tournaments ahead.

Lasting legacy

Nearly 30 years have passed since the memorable duel between Reyes and Strickland — two of the best cue artists in the world at that time — yet fans still dream of seeing them battle once more. That wish might soon come true as Puyat is already working behind the scenes to make it happen.

“People want it to happen again because this might be the last time that the billiard world will see Efren and Earl Strickland play against each other,” the seasoned sports executive said.

“We will do it in January. We actually wanted it in December but we don’t have a venue because we have a lot of Christmas programs. Hopefully, we can have it in the Smart Araneta Coliseum if it’s available and we will broadcast it to the world.”

But Puyat isn’t stopping there. 

He wants the event to feel like a reunion of eras — a proper send-off to the giants who shaped modern cue sports.

“Four legends: Efren and Django versus Earl Strickland and Ralf Souquet. Two from Europe, two from America and Asia. Four matches in all. Probably their last time because of their age,” he added, sounding a little nostalgic.

The event — like the Reyes Cup and the Philippine Open — is possible only because of Puyat’s long-standing relationship with global broadcast powerhouse Matchroom Sport.

“We have an arrangement with Matchroom. I’ve known the founder, Barry Hearn, for a long time,” Puyat said.

“We have an arrangement: As long as we’re in the Philippines, we would partner with Matchroom.”

That partnership gave birth to the Reyes Cup — Asia’s answer to the prestigious Mosconi Cup of the United Kingdom where Team Europe is facing the United States.

“We talked to Matchroom chief executive officer Ms. Emily Frazer. Why don’t we make a Reyes Cup? I told them that we do it jointly with the same format like the Mosconi Cup.”

Looking at Puyat — soft-spoken but sharp, confident yet humble — it becomes clear that the soul of Philippine billiards does not lie in trophies, tables or televised matches. It lies in the unwavering belief that Filipino talent belongs on the world stage.

And as long as Puyat remains at the helm, that belief will never fade. He carries the sport — not with force — but with instinct, shaped by decades of knowing exactly where the ball should go.