This was the answer of two coaches of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) in reaction to the league commissioner’s statement in banning scouts from watching the Cebu Coliseum for Game 2 of the best-of-three semifinals series this Sunday.
Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy said the other day they will not let Manila teams ruin the competitiveness of the
league, which the schools and the teams have worked hard to build up.
However, coaches feel differently.
“Let us leave it to the players to decide which option is best for them,” said University of San Carlos coach Mike Reyes.
Reyes, who used to be based in Manila, admitted that he has friends who are coaches from the Philippine Basketball League who are planning on coming over this Sunday.
“It does not do anyone harm. They wanted to come over to observe our players. They were already planning on coming over and after that announcement, paano na ‘yan?” Reyes said.
Reyes said that as a coach, he cannot prevent the players from seeking greener pastures. “We (coaches) are here to guide them what decision is best for them. We cannot dictate them on what to do. This is a free country,” Reyes said.
Reyes admitted that USC’s Fil-Aussie wingman Emel Rowe, has been eyed by several scouts. USC women’s team lost a player, Juvelyn Andaya who was recurited by the University of Sto. Tomas after facing them in the national Prisaa.
Important
“I think it is more important to make sure that the players will get somewhere and if another school and league can offer that, then why reject that chance?” Reyes said.
For University of the Visayas, which has the most talented pool of players in Cebu, head coach Elmer Boy Cabahug also mirrored Reyes’ sentiment.
“I don’t think I can ever deny my players to turn their backs on an opportunity,” said Cabahug. “In basketball, it is all about timing and striking at the right moment to make your crack into the big leagues. When an opportunity knocks, you can’t tell your players not to consider it.”
Like Reyes, Cabahug feels that it is his responsibility to guide his players to make the right choice, but, still, the decision will still be the players’.
Promises
“I am sure that these people coming in with a lot of promises also make sure that they have offers that are better than what the Cebu schools have,” Cabahug said.
Cabahug added that he finds it a form of flattery when other people notice his players. “It goes out to show that you have done your part as a coach to make your players good enough to get noticed. And it is also a testament that you have done your job well. So if you are confident enough, you have to expect scouts to come looking for your players,” Cabahug said.
Tiukinhoy, however, defended his statement. “I can see where the coaches are coming from. But as a commissioner, I speak in behalf of the league. We haven’t even settled the issue on piracy inside the Cesafi. Now, we have to deal with those outsiders, who want to swipe our talents?” Tiukinhoy said.
He added that he was tasked to pen the rules that will finally curb the issue on piracy of players within the Cesafi. (MCB)
