Cesafi mulls new residency rule

THE Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) will strongly consider the suggestion of lawyer Baldomero Estenzo to have players from other leagues serve a one-year residency before allowing them to see action in the Cebu schools tournament.

Estenzo, the prime mover of Cesafi, told Sun.Star Cebu that he is proposing to the board to impose a oneyear residency for players from other leagues who want to play in the Cebu tournament.

“To make it fair for our players who have to sit out for one year when they play in the other leagues, especially in Manila. But players who played in Manila don’t serve residency in the Cesafi. So to make it even, I proposed to the board that we have to impose a a one year residency on players who have played in other leagues. Not just from Manila schools, but in Visayas and Mindanao leagues as well,” Estenzo said.

According to Estenzo, Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. is amenable to his proposal and will elevate the matter to the Cesafi board for the decision.

However, Estenzo expects this suggestion to be heavily discussed since the teams that want to rebuild may put up a competitive line-up instantly by recruiting players from other leagues.

The matter will be in the agenda when the Cesafi board convenes in February.

“I have already discussed this matter with some members of the board. There are pros and there are cons, so we will include this in the agenda when we will revisit the Cesafi Rules and Regulations for the 2016-2017 tournament by next month,” Tiukinhoy said.

Former Cesafi players Joseph Nalos of Adamson University Falcons, Monbert Arong of Far Eastern University Tamaraws, Jomari Sullano of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights were among those who served a one-year residency before they were allowed to play in the UAAP and NCAA.

While those who benefited with the no residency rule of Cesafi were Southwestern University Cobras with Jayven Mark Tallo (from De La Salle University Green Archers) and Giovanni Luz (from FEU); University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars Kevin Rey Villagracia (from University of St. La Salle Stingers of Bacolod) to name a few.