CESAFI commish Tiukinhoy resigns

CESAFI commissioner Felix “Boy” Tiukinhoy has resigned. Tiukinhoy confirmed his resignation without giving any statement.

His replacement is not yet known.

Tiukinhoy had been instrumental for introducing reforms and innovations to the league such as the best-of-five CESAFI finals between the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers against the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors which drew huge crowd.

Only recently, Tiukinhoy engaged into a verbal war with some of the CESAFI coaches and athletic directors whom he prohibited from participating into the Visayas Amateur Athletic Association (VAAA).

On Nov. 9, Tiukinhoy, as commissioner of CESAFI, issued a statement, saying, “I strongly take exception to the statement made by Coaches Boy Cabahug of UV, Mike Reyes of USC and athletic directors Ryan Aznar of SWU and Discorro Himotas of USJ-R printed today regarding their participation in the VAAA.”

The Visayan Amateur Athletic Association (VAAA) was founded by Coach Yayoy Alcoseba. The VAAA’s second tournament opening conflicted with that of CESAFI’s Partner’s Cup, forcing the latter to reschedule.

Further, in that statement, Tiukinhoy said as commissioner he “will not hesitate to impose disciplinary sanctions on the erring person or persons.”

The warning was met by various reactions from those named by Tiukinhoy.

When SWU and USC played in the opening game of the VAAA last Nov. 18, Tiuhinkoy reportedly said that these two teams will not be invited in the Partner’s Cup. With the two teams out of the list, the Partner’s Cup is left with just five teams, forcing the organizers to make changes in the tournament’s format.

Adding to Tiukinhoy’s headache is the participation of seven-time CESAFI basketball champion the University of the Visayas to the VAAA afters its stint in the CCL.

The CESAFI-sponsored Partner’s Cup will push through despite of Tiukinhoy’s resignation. Ramon Fernandez has been tapped as the Partner’s Cup commissioner. (Gabby G. Malagar)