Friday, August 31, 2007 2 players risk losing Cesafi slots
TWO players risk losing their slots in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) selection that will go against a top-notch professional basketball team this weekend at the Cebu Coliseum.
For failing to join practices, University of San Carlos’ Enrico Llanto and Niño Ramirez might lose their slots in the team.
The team, a selection of top players of each Cesafi-member school, was organized to face San Miguel Beermen this weekend for a charity game. The Beermen will be spearheaded by Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros.
“We only hope that they cooperate because this is a very rare experience for a college varsity to play against one of the country’s top team,” said coach Elmer Cabahug of University of the Visayas, who was tapped to call the shots for the Cesafi selection.
“It is also a very good thing that they are being recognized for being the best players in their team,” added Cabahug.
A disappointed Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy said that if players continue to skip practice, they will be forced then to replace them with other players.
“This is a very good exposure for our players. We hope that these players realize how lucky they are. There are so many other interested players and they were chosen for this,” said Tiukinhoy.
Ramirez and Llanto apparently failed to join the practices because they had to attend to school duties.
Ramirez said he would be joining the practice yesterday afternoon, but was not sure if Llanto could go because he had an exam.
The friendly match between Cesafi and San Miguel is a charity event.
Tiukinhoy said that this is the very first time in the Cesafi and even its forerunner, the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association, that collegiate players will go against a professional team from the Philippine Basketball Association. (MCB)
