CESAFI Board turns down USC Warriors protest

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Board junked the protest of the University of San Carlos Warriors and approved the decision of Commissioner Felix O. Tiukinhoy Jr. to allow late Southwestern University Cobras reinforcement Bendley Valdor to replace Justin Aboude as import in the tournament.

After careful review, reflection and deliberation, the CESAFI Board backs Tiukinhoy’s decision that favors SWU to have Valdor as an addition to their line-up.

The Warriors placed the game under protest after their 67-69 loss to the Cobras last Sunday for the reason that Valdor, an American import, wasn’t supposed to be allowed to play.

In an email sent by Enrico David S. Navarro of the CESAFI president's office of Fr. Manny Uy, S.J confirmed the decision of the board, but there was no further explanation given as how the CESAFI Board came up with the decision during a supposed closed door meeting the other night.

Some sources who requested anonymity had varying versions on how Valdor landed at the Cobras lair.

Valdor was first brought to University of the Visayas by ex-Lancer Stephen Padilla and since they have already submitted their official line-up, they refused that Valdor should be inserted to their roster.

But Valdor became a Cobra as being a replacement to Cameroonian Aboude, who presented a medical certificate that he is not allowed to play for enlargement of the heart.

Sources close to the Warriors said that they are confused of Tiukinhoy's decision because in the previous years, the Warriors were not allowed to replace or add players into their roster prompting them to play with only eight players as the ninth qualified player Giovanni Padillo was injured that time.  (FREEMAN)