Who are the 5 greatest Cesafi players of all time?

CEBU. While it’s unsurprising that June Mar Fajardo is widely considered to be the greatest Cesafi player of all time, who joined him on the unofficial list of five greatest players in league history? (June Mar Fajardo FB)
CEBU. While it’s unsurprising that June Mar Fajardo is widely considered to be the greatest Cesafi player of all time, who joined him on the unofficial list of five greatest players in league history? (June Mar Fajardo FB)

WITH the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) approaching its 20th season, the question that begs to be asked is: if you are to form a starting five from all the players that have played in the collegiate competition over the last two decades, who would you pick?

SunStar Cebu conducted an informal survey among current and former Cesafi players to get an answer to this tricky question. While it was totally unsurprising to see six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo at the top of the list, the rest of the quintet included three more Cesafi MVPs and one former PBA draft pick.

Without further ado, the unofficial five greatest Cesafi players of all time are: June Mar Fajardo of the University of Cebu at center, the University of the Visayas’ JR Quiñahan at power forward, former two-time Cesafi MVP Enrico Llanto of the University of San Carlos at small forward, former UV Green Lancer Gayford Rodriguez at shooting guard and another two-time Cesafi MVP winner, Macmac Tallo of Southwestern University-Phinma.

Tallo, who is playing for Manila in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), was described as “the best talent in the Philippines today who is not playing in the PBA” by another former great of USC, Paul Joven.

Quiñahan, a power forward with the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA, won the Cesafi MVP trophy in 2003 and 2004. “He was the most dominant of his time and a big reason why UV went undefeated through those years,” said former USC guard Dave Guardiario.

Meanwhile, Llanto, who hoisted the MVP trophy in 2006 and 2007, continues to be a force in the MPBL while playing for the Bataan Risers. He led the USC Warriors to back-to-back Cesafi finals appearances but lost both times to the UV Green Lancers.

Joven, who teamed up with Llanto on those finals squads, said the undersized forward had a “complete set of skills. He can score anywhere. Maybe one of top three players who did not make it into the PBA because of injuries.”

Of the quintet, Rodriguez arguably has the most unassuming resume but still remains a favorite in the minds of fans and players alike. A smooth left-handed operator, Rodriguez bounced around leagues after his collegiate career but was eventually picked 19th overall by Rain or Shine in the 2014 PBA Draft. However, he was not signed and eventually played for Cebu in the MPBL during the 2018 season.

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