UV Green Lancers: We'll play Game 5 with a heavy heart

THE Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) Basketball Commission once again hurdles another controversy as the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers questioned Cesafi Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy's decision to move the deciding match from October 4 to October 6.

Tiukinhoy announced after Tuesday’s Game 4 that instead of playing the deciding match Thursday, October 4, it will be played on Saturday. He announced the new schedule after Game 4 was won by the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras.

On October 3, the Lancers lost in Game 4 with a score of 68-64, tying the finals series 2-2.

It was learned that two of the SWU Cobras' main players were injured in the game. This aroused suspicion in the Lancers camp that the rescheduling was done to give ample time for SWU to take a rest.

In a letter addressed to the commissioner dated October 4, Gerald Anthony "Didi" Gullas, UV's vice president for Finance and Administration, questioned why the announcement was done after the game has been won.

"While we grant you, as commissioner, the prerogative to reschedule games, you did so only after Game 4 ended, and not before, as you claimed. And the rescheduling was done without even courtesy of consulting representatives of our team when in fact we were still very much around," Gullas said in the letter.

Tiukinhoy released a statement through a text message to Congressman Eddie Gullas explaining his decision.

He said: “October 4 was not intended for Game 5 of the college division since Game 4 was played last night [October 3]. October 4 is intended for Game 5 of the high school division finals should it be necessary.”

He also said the championship schedule was already prepared ahead and that the games are always played every other day both for high school and college.

“Game 5 is supposed to be scheduled on Friday but the Coliseum has been booked so we scheduled it on Saturday [October 6],” he said.

“The commissioner’s actuations have always been for the good of the Cesafi League and never for the interest of any school,” Tiukinhoy said.

It was reported that around 5 p.m. Thursday, the UV Green Lancers camp went to the New Cebu Coliseum to follow the earlier schedule but the venue was closed.

“But while we assure you that UV will be playing with its usual pride and dedication, which the school is known throughout its sporting history, it will also be playing with a heavy heart,” said Didi Gullas. (Buen Josef Andrade/Sunnex)