In a stunning decision that has sent shockwaves through the Cebu sports community, the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) has forfeited multiple victories of the league-leading University of Cebu Lapulapu/Mandaue Campus (UCLM) basketball team. The ruling, handed down by Cesafi Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, centers on an eligibility violation involving player Noe Lingoste.
Rule Violation Leads to Severe Penalty
The controversy stems from the discovery that Noe Lingoste participated in another tournament in his hometown of Iloilo while the Cesafi season was actively ongoing. This action is a direct breach of league regulations, which explicitly prohibit student-athletes from playing in any other competitions during the Cesafi schedule.
As a result, Commissioner Tiukinhoy enforced the rule's stipulated penalty. All elimination round games where Lingoste played have been declared forfeits. Furthermore, Lingoste himself is now permanently barred from playing in the league. This decision was announced on Saturday, December 6, 2025, just one day before the critical Top Four stage was set to begin.
Dramatic Shift in Standings and Playoff Fate
The impact on the league table is nothing short of dramatic. The UCLM Webmasters, coached by Calib Gawangon, had concluded their elimination round campaign with a strong 8–2 win-loss record, positioning them as a top contender.
However, with the forfeiture of those wins, their official record has plummeted to 3–7. This catastrophic drop immediately eliminates UCLM from contention for the Top Four playoffs, which are scheduled to start on Sunday, December 7, at the Cebu Coliseum.
New Playoff Picture Emerges
The revised standings have created a new hierarchy for the postseason. The defending champions, the Sacred Heart School–Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles, now claim the number one seed with a 9–1 record.
The University of Cebu Baby Webmasters have ascended to the second spot with an 8–2 slate. Cebu Eastern College (7–3) and the Cebu Institute of Technology–University (CIT-U) (7–3) now round out the third and fourth positions, respectively, securing the final playoff berths.
UCLM Launches Appeal, Emergency Meeting Called
In the latest development, the UCLM camp has not accepted the ruling without a fight. They have formally filed an appeal before the Cesafi board, seeking a reversal of the decision that has ended their championship hopes.
Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy confirmed in a message that the board is set to convene an emergency Zoom meeting with him on Sunday to discuss the appeal. This last-minute hearing adds another layer of suspense, as the league and its teams prepare for the suddenly reshuffled playoff schedule.
The outcome of this appeal will be closely watched, as it not only determines the final competitive fate of UCLM but also sets a significant precedent for how the Cesafi enforces its core regulations moving forward.
