The year 2025 was a rollercoaster for Cebu's local basketball scene, marked by historic celebrations, fierce controversies, and brutal battles against natural disasters. The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi), the premier inter-school league, found itself at the center of it all during its milestone 25th anniversary season.
A Silver Anniversary of Stars and Storms
Celebrating a quarter-century since its founding in 2000, Cesafi launched its jubilee with a bang. The highlight was a historic Cesafi Alumni All-Star match on September 10, pitting arch-rivals University of the Visayas (UV) and University of Cebu (UC). The exhibition game captivated local fans by featuring Cebuano stars who trace their roots to these universities.
The court saw legendary names like PBA superstar and 9-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, veteran guard Brian Heruela, Paul Desiderio, JR Quinahan, MPBL star Emman Calo, and others. The presence of famed Cebuano PBA hotshot Dondon Hontiveros further electrified the event. Desiderio's clutch three-pointer in the final seconds sealed the win for the UV Alumni Green Lancers, erupting the renovated Cebu Coliseum in cheers.
This successful first-ever event has prompted league officials to consider making the UV-UC Alumni game a regular fixture, possibly every year or every five years. The anniversary festivities also included a fun run with nearly 3,000 students on September 9 and a dance competition.
Disasters Force a Grueling Schedule
Just as the season gained momentum, calamity struck. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Bogo City on September 30, affecting Cebu City and forcing Cesafi to temporarily suspend all events. Shortly after games resumed, Typhoon Tino (Severe Tropical Storm Tino) battered the province, destroying homes, claiming lives, and halting competition once more. The community's focus rightly shifted to aiding victims.
Only three days later, Typhoon Uwan triggered further alarm, especially for residents near rivers and coasts. Led by commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy Jr., Cesafi officials were forced into constant rescheduling. In a bid to meet the league's deadline, they made the drastic decision to hold games daily. While this ensured completion, it set the stage for exhaustion and the controversy that followed.
Controversial Disqualification and Historic Triumphs
Unexpected drama erupted in the high school division semifinals. The University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu/Mandaue (UCLM) Baby Webmasters, who were leading the team standings, were suddenly disqualified. Their top point guard, Noe Lingoste, was proven to have played in another league in Iloilo on November 2 while the Cesafi tournament was ongoing—a clear violation of league rules.
As a result, all UCLM wins involving Lingoste were forfeited. Their stellar 8-2 record plummeted to 3-7, shattering their semifinals hopes. Despite an appeal from UCLM, the decision by the commissioner and the technical committee head stood firm, drawing mixed reactions, mostly critical of the league.
Yet, amidst the turmoil, history was written. The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles, coached by Rommel Rasmo, achieved the league's first-ever Five-Peat championship in the high school division, sweeping the best-of-three finals. In the collegiate division, the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers under coach Gary Cortes secured their fourth consecutive title and a record-extending 17th overall championship.
Despite being rocked by natural disasters and a major controversy, Cesafi's 25th silver anniversary season ultimately concluded with unforgettable, sweet success etched into the history books of Cebu sports.
