CEBU, Philippines - CESAFI Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, Jr. yesterday stood firm on his decision to suspend, for the rest of the season three, Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) players who entered the court during a near bench-clearing melee in Game 1 of the high school finals series between CIT and USJ-R last Thursday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Tuikinhoy said his decision is “irrevocable” in response to the appeal by CIT Athletic Director Alexander P. dela Torre.
The commissioner added that he based his decision on Article F of the 2009 amended CESAFI rules and regulations. The rule in its current form states that “Any player or players of a team, coaches, team officials and utility staff who participate in a melee and seen inside the court will be penalized by suspension for the rest of the season.”
Before this amendment those who enter the court during any incident only gets a five-game suspension.
Tuikinhoy emphasized that CESAFI has strictly enforced this rule to prevent players, coaches and team staff from entering the court during any incident.
Those who enter the court and positively identified by the referees are usually suspended.
The referees positively identified the three CIT players as Joseph Nalos, John Merlow Gera and Carlo Figuracion who entered the court during last Thursday’s incident.
Dela Torre, in his appeal to Tuikinhoy, said the rule only applies to those who participate in a melee and in that case, no fistfight happened.
Tuikinhoy said that as far as he is concerned the suspension of the three players stands but he said dela Torre could still appeal to the board of CESAFI. (FREEMAN NEWS)