THE Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) vowed to keep the 2010 season controversy-free. But just two days into the season, that’s no longer possible.
Cesafi got the season’s first predicament when the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers forfeited their first game because according to coach Jun Pepito, they did not receive a copy of the schedule of games.
The UV Baby Lancers were originally scheduled to play on Tuesday but that game was moved to yesterday—and they failed to show up.
Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, who had to deal with a string of controversies last year, could only shake his head in disbelief with the latest issue.
“We have been in basketball for a long time and to be given that kind of excuse is just disappointing,” said Tiukinhoy.
Black eye
Tiukinhoy added the UV team was well-represented during their meetings. The schedule of the games was given to college team assistant coach Al Solis last Wednesday.
“He (Pepito) does not have an excuse. Aside from that, we faxed the schedules to their respective schools, we had the opening ceremony yesterday (Saturday) and all the other teams knew of their schedules. It was announced every so often as well and on top of that, the newspapers carried the schedules. They can’t be the only one not to know about it,” said Tiukinhoy. “We thought we had everything covered when we made sure there are no longer any gray areas but this is something new. There aren’t any sanctions because this is not in the Fiba rules.”
If UV’s high school team gave it a black eye, the school can take comfort in its senior team, which is aiming for an unprecedented 10th straight title.
The Green Lancers started their campaign on a high note after handing the Don Bosco College Greywolves their breakfast, lunch and dinner, 91-48, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The win showed the Green Lancers are still much of a force even without their Fil-Am center Greg Slaughter, who is now in Manila.
Rookie RJ Rios led UV with 16 points.
In the other high school game, the University of Southern Philippines escaped the University of San Jose-Recoletos, 69-64.