A fresh controversy has erupted within the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi), casting a shadow over the conclusion of the high school basketball division tournament. The dispute centers on an appeal filed by the University of Cebu Lapulapu/Mandaue (UCLM) against a decision by Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. to forfeit several of the team's victories.
The Core of the Controversy
The issue stems from the actions of UCLM player Noe Lingoste. It was discovered that Lingoste participated in another league game in Iloilo province on November 2, while the Cesafi tournament was still ongoing. This is a clear violation of Cesafi rules, which prohibit student-athletes from playing in other leagues during an active Cesafi competition.
According to the league's regulations, both the player and the team are subject to penalties for such an infraction. One stipulated penalty is the forfeiture of all games in which the offending player participated. Acting on this rule, Commissioner Tiukinhoy issued the forfeiture order.
UCLM's Defense and Appeal
However, the UCLM camp is not convinced by the swift decision, calling it unfair. The team's head coach, Calib Gawangon, argues that the violation was committed solely by the player, not the institution. "After Lingoste violated the rule, we did not let him play anymore. In fact, we were the ones who voluntarily informed Danny Duran (deputy commissioner) that we had already dropped Lingoste because he played in another league last November 2," Coach Gawangon stated.
He emphasized that the team acted in good faith by immediately reporting the issue and removing the player from their roster on November 17. "We acted in good faith because we did not commit any violation. It was only the player. So, we are appealing this," he added. The team believes the severe penalty undoes the hard work of the entire squad due to one individual's mistake.
A Wake-Up Call and Pending Resolution
This incident has highlighted procedural delays within Cesafi. The violation occurred in early November, was reported by UCLM on November 17, but the commissioner's decision was only released recently, more than a month later. This delay has fueled frustration, with observers noting the need for swifter action and clearer communication in such matters.
The Cesafi board is set to review UCLM's appeal and announce its final decision on Sunday, December 7. This ruling will be crucial as the league's semifinals are scheduled to begin at 12:30 PM on the same day. The outcome will determine UCLM's fate in the tournament and set a precedent for handling similar cases.
Regardless of the result, this controversy serves as a significant wake-up call for Cesafi. It underscores the urgent need to review and potentially revise its provisions, especially concerning conflict resolution. The league must establish a system where emerging problems are addressed promptly to ensure fair play and protect the integrity of the competition for all student-athletes and teams involved.
