UC Lapu-Lapu Mandaue Dismisses Key Player During Crucial Cesafi Campaign
The University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu Mandaue (UCLM) has taken decisive action by dismissing their trusted point guard, Noe Lingoste, during their critical campaign in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) tournament. This move was confirmed by UCLM head coach Calib Gawangon through an online interview.
Violation of Team Rules Leads to Immediate Dismissal
The removal of Lingoste from the lineup came after the team discovered he participated in a game for the Tigbauan Team against the Barotac team on November 2, 2025, at the Gov. Toto Defensor Cup in Maasin, Iloilo. Lingoste, a native of Iloilo and former player for Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), had been explicitly warned by Coach Gawangon not to play in any other league while the Cesafi tournament was ongoing.
Despite this prior warning, Lingoste proceeded to play, leading to his immediate dismissal. The team did not wait for a ruling from the Cesafi technical committee, taking matters into their own hands. "On November 1, I reminded him not to play. He insisted. I directly removed him from the team. I called Mam Jess (Jessica Honoridez, athletic director) and Atty. (Baldomero) Estenzo," stated Coach Gawangon.
Impact on UCLM's Playoff Hopes and Team Dynamics
Coach Gawangon admitted that the sudden loss of their primary point guard has created a significant void in the team, especially during this tight competition. As of this writing, UCLM holds a 5-2 record, tying with the defending champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Junior Wildcats for second place. They trail behind the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, who have a 6-2 record.
The playoff race remains highly competitive:
- CIT-U could potentially tie with CEC for the top spot if they defeated the Don Bosco Greywolves.
- The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers remain in contention with a 4-3 record.
- The University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, a perennial semifinalist, hold a 2-3 record but cannot be counted out with five games remaining.
In their final three games, UCLM will face both USPF and UV, teams also fighting for a spot in the next round, followed by a match against Don Bosco (1-6). This situation has Coach Calib concerned, but he remains hopeful that other players will step up. "It's a real loss. It has affected us a bit, but hopefully, someone will step up into his position," he added, naming Rafael Calo, Dan Mitchell Ferraren, and John Christian Torrevillas as potential replacements for Lingoste.
The team's first test without their starting point guard begins this afternoon against the UV Baby Lancers.
