Benedicto College joins CESAFI

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Incorporated’s (CESAFI) family gets bigger with the entry of Benedicto College.

The CESAFI announced that Benedicto College’s application was unanimously approved by the CESAFI Board, now headed by Atty. Paulino Yabao, president of the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation.

Benedicto College’s application was decided on at the CESAFI Board meeting last July 11, 2023 but was officially announced the other day yet.

Benedicto College is the latest addition to the college basketball division squad for the 23rd season of the CESAFI.

Earlier, the University of Philippines-Cebu’s also said they are now pushing through their participation in this longest running inter-private school event. UP Cebu’s application was already approved last year yet, but was not able to form their team on time.

CESAFI’s deputy commissioner, Atty. Jesus “Boyet,” Velez told The Freeman that both Benedicto College and UP-Cebu are under probationary status for three years as members of the CESAFI.

The Southwestern University-Phinma is also set to return to action after a leave of absence in the previous season.

With this development, there will now be nine college teams seeing action at CESAFI soon.

The rest of the competing teams include the University of the Visayas, University of Cebu, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of Southern Philippines-Foundation, University of San Carlos and the Cebu Institute of Technology-University.

“With these new teams, it is expected to bring more excitement to CESAFI’s 23rd Season,” the announcement says.

Aside from college basketball though, Benedicto College will also be participating in other team and individual sports.

CESAFI Commissioner Felix “Boy” Tiukinhoy, on the other hand, said the opening of the CESAFI will be tentatively set for September 23.

The upcoming CESAFI battle will have the major backing of Chooks-to-Go anew.

“Chooks-to-Go of the Bounty Group thrilled to foster a dynamic business collaboration with CESAFI member schools in Cebu, propelling innovation and success in both sports and academia,” a post from Ronald Mascarinas, president and CEO of Bounty Agro Ventures. — (FREEMAN)