‘Basket-brawl’ in CESAFI, 3 players ejected as USC beats UC in fight-marred game

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the San Carlos Warriors streaked past the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 67-64, in their fight-marred duel that saw three players being thrown out of the game last night in the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's  basketball tournament at the USC-Main gym.

Charles Pepito and Dominic Adlawan of USC and Windell Santander of UC were banished from the playing court at the 6:11 mark of the second period after they figured in an ugly altercation while grappling for a loose ball just a few feet away from CESAFI commissioner Felix "Boy" O. Tiukinhoy, Jr.

Punches fly during that tension-filled moment but game officials were quick enough to put the situation under control and prevent the incident from escalating into a full-scale hardcourt melee.

"I clearly saw that there was an exchange of punches between players from USC and UC that is why I immediately recommended to the technical committee to eject those who are involved [in the scuffle]," said Tiukinhoy. "Their intent during that instance was to cause bodily harm against each other, which is grave offense as stipulated in our league rules and regulations."

After a few minutes huddle, the referees arrived at a decision to eject the erring cagers for unsportsmanlike conduct. "They committed a disqualifying foul for using closed fists," said referee Al Rile.

Aside from a fine of P5,000 each, Pepito, Adlawan and Santander were also slapped with an automatic one-game suspesion which they will serve in their next games.

Despite losing two players, the brave Warriors of USC still have something to cheer about as they rallied from 10 points down, 40-30, to pull off a huge win over the Webmasters that aligned them at third spot with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, who also now  hold a 3-2 win-loss record after cruising to a 68-58 victory over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers.

Who will emerged as the No.3 qualifier going into the quarterfinal round will be known when the Warriors and the Jaguars slug it out in the last day of elimination round on September 3. (FREEMAN)