USC Baby Warriors coach escapes Cesafi suspension

THE University of San Carlos Baby Warriors’ head coach Britt Carlo Reroma escaped suspension but was given a “strong warning” by Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) president, Fr. Manny Uy, SJ for his attempt to field in an ineligible player during their first game this season.

This was the clear message to Reroma given by Uy in a letter that was addressed to the latter last Sept. 6.

While the league’s Board of Trustees clearly condoned the act of trying to field in an ineligible player as “unethical of a coach of a Cesafi team,” Reroma was not given any suspension as a result of commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy’s decision to waive his initial recommendation of a year-long suspension for the former champion tactician of the San Beda Red Cubs.

This particular brouhaha stemmed from Reroma’s attempt to field center Scott Aying into their game against the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers last Aug. 3 in spite of the latter’s floating status at the time.

Eventually, Aying was decided to be ineligible to play this season after suiting up for Don Bosco back in 2011. League rules state that players transferring from one Cesafi member school to another must serve a two-year residency.

“Let this then serve as a strong warning for the act of attempting to field a player who was declared ineligible for this season, 2013-2014. The attempt to field in an ineligible player is not only an affront to the Commissioner’s Office but to the entire league. This act demoralizes the player and causes confusion among players, parents and the general public,” Uy said.

When told of the Board’s decision, Reroma heaved a sigh of relief and was grateful for their understanding and patience.

“I’m really grateful to the Board and Commissioner (Felix) Tiukinhoy for this decision of theirs. Now I can focus fully on coaching and getting the Baby Warriors to the finals,” Reroma said. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio