Cesafi stays firm

“WE ARE dismayed but we can’t do anything about it.”

Southwestern University (SWU) athletic director Ryan Aznar said they were disappointed when the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Board of Trustees threw away their appeal about an amended rule that does not allow players from the PBA D-League to join the Cesafi.

The Cesafi included the D-League in the list of semi-professional leagues Cesafi players aren’t allowed to join along with the Philippine Basketball League and the Liga Pilipinas.

SWU, which was hoping to acquire power forward Chris Dumapig, hoped the Cesafi board will reconsider after PBA D-League Commissioner Chito Salud said the league was developmental and not semi-pro.

Dumapig used to play for Centro Escolar University and had expressed his intention to join SWU. He played in the D-League under the Cafe France Bakers team.

Aznar added that their plan to acquire players who have played in higher leagues is to put into motion their goal to improve the team’s level of play, have a better finish in the Cesafi, and to pull off a more decent finish in national competitions.

“The thing about having strong players is it motivates the other players to work harder. Kung ila tang pugngan, kutob ra gyud ta ani sa baryo-baryo nga dinuwaan. We can never compete against Manila teams in the national level,” said Aznar.

Another issue that was settled was the residency rule.

The Cesafi board decided that the new rule will take effect next year.

Athletes who transfered schools needed to serve a one-year residency based on the old ruling.

This time, athletes need to serve a two-year residency before suiting up for their new team. This means that those who served the residency last year can now play this year.

Those who transferred schools this year will be subject to the two-year residency rule.

Also discussed in the meeting is the screening for players, which will be on July 11 and the opening of the 2012 season on July 28.