Cesafi Holds Firm: No Game Forfeiture for UCLM
The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) has firmly decided not to forfeit any games of the University of Cebu LapuLapu/Mandaue (UCLM) Junior Webmasters, despite controversy surrounding a player who participated in another league. This decision was confirmed by deputy commissioner Atty. Marven Panares, who stated that the team did not commit any violation warranting a penalty.
The Core of the Controversy
The issue began when it was discovered that UCLM's trusted point guard, Noe Longiste, played in the Gov. Toto Defensor Cup in Maasin, Iloilo, on November 2, 2025. This action directly contravened Cesafi rules, which prohibit athletes from playing in other leagues while the Cesafi tournament is ongoing. The rule (5.2.2) explicitly states that a violation should lead to the forfeiture of all preceding games in which the athlete participated.
UCLM coach Calib Gawangon had previously warned and prohibited Longiste from this very action. In response to the breach, the team removed Longiste from their lineup on November 17, 2025.
Why No Penalty Was Applied
Atty. Panares clarified that the forfeiture rule was not triggered because there were no "preceding games" to nullify. UCLM's first game after Longiste's violation on November 2 was on November 22, by which time the player had already been dropped from the team.
"They removed him (Longiste) on November 17. Their first game after that was on November 22, and Longiste was no longer there," Panares explained. "So there are no 'preceding games' because he did not play at all after November 2. Therefore, no forfeiture will occur."
Addressing Complaints and a Past Precedent
The ruling sparked complaints from several coaches and team officials from other schools, who referenced a previous incident involving the University of Southern Philippines–Foundation (USPF) volleyball team. In that case, the team's wins were forfeited after one of its athletes was found to have played in another tournament.
Panares distinguished the two cases, noting a critical difference: "That situation was different, because that player was still allowed to play again" after the violation, whereas UCLM immediately removed Longiste.
Panares revealed that he has spoken with concerned officials and they understood the explanation after his clarification. He also admitted that Cesafi had not yet issued an official statement on the matter, which could have provided clarity for parents and stakeholders. He hopes that an official statement will be released by next week to formally address the controversy.
