CESAFI suspends Demape

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) through commissioner Felix "Boy" O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. has slapped Cebu Institute of Technologty-University (CIT-U) Wildcats head coach Gilbert Demape with a one-game suspension plus a P5,000 fine for his unsportsmanlike behavior during their 84-85 loss to the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars last Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum.

CIT-U athletic director Alex de la Torre was also banned for one game for conduct unbecoming of a team official.

During that hotly-contested match, Demape was fuming mad when referee Reylando "Ado" Balongoy called a foul on CIT-U's Frankly Batiquin against USJ-R's Jason Olbedado with only 1.4 seconds left to play. Olbedado split his charities but that was all he needed to lift the Jaguars to a hairline victory.

Demape blamed Balongoy for their heart-breaking defeat, saying that his players have done their best only to be spoiled by what he perceived as an erroneous judgment by the referee.

In the incident report he filed before the CESAFI Commissioner's Office, Balongoy narrated that right after the game buzzer sound ends for the fourth period, Demape entered the playing court, ran after him and hit him on the chest that casued him in pain.

Balongoy said the volatile coach also hurled statements at him in furious manner. Not contented, Demape even challenged him to a fistfight at the parkling area of the coliseum.

In his coming up with the decision, Tiukinhoy strongly felt Demape's actuations should not be condoned as it is inimical to the league.

"You are not supposed to confront any of the refrees right after the game. Worst is, you did not ask any permission from any deputy commissioners or the commissioner himself of doing so. You, as a head coach of the team, should set an example to your players to faithfully and strictly observe the rules and regulations being set of the 12th CESAFI season," said Tiukinhoy.

"But you failed to do so. In fact, you were the one violating it. This is a very serious matter since this is an act of unsportsmanlike behavior which is a ground for a penalty of one game suspension and a fine of P5,000," added Tiukinhoy.

The CESAFI also cracked the whipped on De la Torre for similar breach of league rules.

In a separate report, referee Isidro Aguelo, Jr. said De la Torre immediately approached the dugout of the referees and attempted to get inside. Augelo said de la Torre also threw invectives at them.

"You as the athletic director of the school, suppose to pacify your athletes/players, personnel, coaching staff, and most of all your head coach in particular;in any cases of conflicts and arguments between and among officials of the league. Moreso, to instill each and everyone's mind under your team/school's to faithfully and strictly observe the rules and regulations being set of the 12th CESAFI season," said Tiukinhoy.

"But what you did is the contrary. This is a very serious matter which is a ground for a one game suspension to enter the coliseum during the game of your team," he added.  - THE FREEMAN