THE University of the Philippines Cebu Fighting Maroons have pulled out of the upcoming high school and collegiate basketball tournaments of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI).

This was confirmed by Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. who relayed that UP Cebu’s basketball squads needed more preparation time to put up a decent showing in Cebu’s premier inter-school basketball competition.

An official from UP Cebu also confirmed this development, saying they will be sending an official communication to the league, affirming their decision to back out of the upcoming Cesafi season.

UP Cebu, though, will still compete in other sporting events such as volleyball, football, and athletics.

With UP Cebu no longer competing, the league also released a revised schedule which sees the tournament concluding before the year ends. The games during the opening weekend have also been altered with the University of San Carlos Warriors, now handled by former USC legend Paul Joven, taking on the powerhouse University of the Visayas Green Lancers on October 16.