CESAFI TO ADD 12 UNDERBASKETBALL

Cebu’s collegiate league open to adding elementary basketball in new season

A new division could be added in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) basketball tournament this season. After an agreement by the majority, the addition of the Under-12 division is expected to be approved by the Cesafi board.

“We’ll get final approval tonight (last night) from the board for final implementation & announcement. Among them is the introduction of an Under 12 division for basketball,” Rico Navarro, Cesafi Athletic Directors group member and recording secretary of the Cesafi Board, told SunStar Cebu. “Commish (Felix Tiukinhoy) raised it but it was more of a general consensus. We discussed it at our Cesafi athletic directors planning sessions last week.”

The Cesafi currently has two divisions, the collegiate and secondary, and Navarro believes that a new one would be a good development for Cesafi.

“More basketball means more exposure for the programs of all schools. This will mean more chances to grow and level up,” said Navarro.

Cesafi currently has 12 member-schools--Cebu Eastern College, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, Don Bosco Technology Center, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, Southwestern University-Phinma, University of Cebu, University of San Carlos, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of the Visayas, Cebu Doctors’ University, and Velez College.

However, Navarro expects the elementary basketball competition will attract only 10 teams.

“Probably the same number as the high school division with 10 teams. Only Cebu Doc and Velez can’t field a team,” said Navarro.

The Cesafi 2018 season kicks off on Aug. 29.

Meanwhile, 40 coaches from the Cesafi member schools attended a coaching workshop set up by Cesafi and the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).

The workshop was headed by coach Derrick Pumaren and also in a attendance was BCAP’s Chito Narvasa. The workshop’s focus was on defense, which is Pumaren’s trademark. /

SUNSTAR FILE ANOTHER DIVISION. High school rivals University of the Visayas and Sacred Heart SchoolAteneo de Cebu could add the elementary division as another battle ground if the Cesafi board approves its addition this season.