Gaisano Capital wins by default vs. San Marino

CEBU, Philippines - The 5th CESAFI Partners' Cup was somehow dealt with a blakeye after league front-runner UC Webmasters-Gaisano Capital was declared winner by default over San Marino Corned Tuna-SWU Cobras last Monday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today (USC gym)

 5 pm Gaisano Capital-UC vs. UP

7pm San Marino vs. Rose Aquarius

The controversy stemmed when Gaisano Capital fielded in point guard Gerald Ampoon, who just recovered from a sprained ankle he sustained in the final game of the first round of elimination.

While he sat out   the entire second round where all teams were allowed to change their rosters, the rule stipulates that Ampoon is qualified to play in the semifinals because he was not actually substituted in the second round but was just put in the injured list.

But San Marino team officials led by coach Bong Begontes thought otherwise.

With only 54.3 seconds left in the first period, Begontes asked for clarification of the rule and recalled all his players to the bench waiting for his decision.

Begontes protested Ampoon's entry and said they will only resume playing if Ampoon is pulled out.

 Ampoon remained in the court with four other Gaisano Capital players and as the five-minute grace period elapsed, San Marino was declared loser by default with the score officially stood at 18-17 in favor of the former. At that point, Begontes shouted from their bench "pagawasa na si Ampoon kay moduwa mi."

The loss by default will also result to Begontes' suspension of the two remaining games and should he instigate his players not to play any longer, the CESAFI board led by commissioner Felix O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. will take action later against the school.

Earlier, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons coasted to their second straight win in as many games at the expense of Lion Tiger Aerosol, 65-56.

The scores

UP (82) - Gingerich 12, Gamboa 12, Manuel 10, Mbah 9, Gomez 7, Silungan 6, Jerueza 6, Werzba 6, Evangelista 6, Maniego 5, Wong 3

Lion Tiger (61) - Perolino 12, Lao 10, Mendoza 8, Mercader 7, Silva 7,Cincoflores 6, Saycon 3, Rios 3, Abad 2, Avellanoza 2, Codilla 1 Halftime: 33-29. – THE FREEMAN