Cesafi Holds Firm Amid Player Eligibility Controversy
The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) has firmly upheld its decision not to force the University of Cebu Lapulapu/Mandaue (UCLM) Webmasters to forfeit their games. This comes despite complaints from several coaches and team officials regarding the controversial removal of a player who participated in another league. Deputy commissioner Atty. Marven Panares clarified the league's position, stating the team committed no violation and therefore could not be penalized.
The Core of the Controversy
The issue centers on UCLM's trusted point guard, Noe Longiste, who was dropped from the team's lineup. The action was taken after it was discovered that Longiste played in the Gov. Toto Defensor Cup in Maasin, Iloilo, on November 2, 2025. This occurred despite explicit warnings and a prohibition from his coach, Calib Gawangon. According to Cesafi regulations, no athlete is permitted to play in another league while the Cesafi tournament is ongoing.
The rule in question, Section 5.2.2, mandates the "forfeiture of all preceding games his/her team played where the individual athlete was fielded and participated." However, Deputy Commissioner Panares provided a crucial clarification that shaped the final decision.
Why No Games Were Forfeited
Panares explained that the key factor was the timing of Longiste's removal. UCLM removed the player on November 17. Their first subsequent game was on November 22, by which time Longiste was no longer with the team. Since the player did not participate in any games after his violation on November 2, there were technically no "preceding games" to forfeit under the rule's interpretation.
"There are no 'preceding games' because he did not play at all after November 2. Therefore, no forfeiture will occur," Panares stated. He emphasized that had UCLM fielded Longiste after the violation, the league would not have hesitated to enforce a forfeit of all their games.
Addressing Complaints and Precedent
The deputy commissioner revealed that several team officials from various schools had approached him about the issue. Some complainants referenced a prior incident involving the University of Southern Philippines–Foundation (USPF) volleyball team, which had its wins forfeited after an athlete 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." He added that after he explained the legal nuance, the concerned officials understood the league's position.
Looking forward, Panares admitted that the lack of an official statement had contributed to confusion among parents and stakeholders. He expressed hope that Cesafi would release an official statement on the matter by the following week to provide final clarity on this contentious ruling.
