Coaches of teams in Cesafi juniors semifinals share views on postponement of games

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

4:30 p.m. – UV vs. USJ-R (Srs.)

6:15 p.m. – SWU vs. USC (Srs.)

Coaches of the two teams that have the inside track on gaining the two berths in the best-of-three finals of the Cesafi juniors basketball tournament shared their views on the postponement of their semifinal games, which originally was set to resume yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Rommel Rasmo, head coach of the defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles said he was shocked and frustrated with the developments.

But ultimately, he said the team will respect the decision of the league’s Board members.

“Even if we’re frustrated with the delay, we know that above all else, we at SHS-AdC must simply follow the rules of the Cesafi,” said Rasmo, the longtime head coach of the school’s juniors division squad. “If it’s for the betterment of the league, then we respect that decision.”

The Magis Eagles and the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons were leading the semifinal round with similar win-loss records of 3-1.

The University of San Carlos (USC) and the University of the Visayas (UV) were also tied with identical 1-3 records.

The two top teams at the end of the double round-robin semifinals were to advance to the best-of-three championship series.

CEC’s head coach Rodmark del Rosario said the delay of the tournament might actually help the team in their preparation.

He also added that he supported the league’s stance.

“Basin kung ila ning sugtan, magsunod-sunod na unya ang mga kiha every time naay dili kauyon sa decision sa liga. Magubot na nuon ug maayo.”

USC Baby Warriors head coach Britt Reroma took a wait-and-see approach as they await whatever decision the Board will make regarding this legal matter.

Officials of the Cesafi headed by commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. postponed all the games in the semifinal round of the juniors division last Wednesday as they contested the Temporary Restraining Order released by the sala of Judge Simeon Dumdum Jr., ordering them to allow USC’s Scott Aying to play as a result of the recent petition filed on his behalf by his parents.