SWU says sorry to CESAFI

CEBU, Philippines - The management of Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Education has launched a full-scale investigation into the record tampering issue of its high school basketball players that were supposedly set to see action in this year's season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc., even as it also apologized to the league and the public about the unfortunate incident that has put the school in bad light.

"On behalf of Southwestern University, I would like to apologize to CESAFI and to the public for this incident. Rest assured we will investigate this problem and we will act accordingly," said SWU-Phinma Chairman of the Board Chito Salazar in an official statement that was read before the members of the media during a press conference attended by SWU-Phinma legal officer Godwin Manginsay and athletic director Ryan Aznar yesterday at the school admin's conference room.

"We will endeavor to clean up out athletics program and make sure that there are no more incidents of inappropriate  behavior of unethical practices, falsification, extortion or corruption. For Phinma Education, integrity and professionalism are core values."

The issue that has somehow tarnished the image of the highly-respectable institution in the academe broke out after the CESAFI screening committee led by lawyer Marvin Pañares, Dr. Danny Villadolid and deputy commissioner Danny Duran found out that nine of SWU's 15-man lineup in the secondary division have submitted tampered NSO records.

Upon thorough investigation, five of the players admitted their true date of birth as shown in original NSO and pointed to coach Rey Lubguban, a former SWO Cobra during his collegiate days, as the one who instructed them to tell the falsified date. The five are Elber de la Cerna Catinggan, Reynaldo Obarco, Mark Anthony Quilab, Andi Jones Turno, and Edwin Abo-abo.

The oldest of them is Quilab, who is already 25 years old. His true date of birth is August 28, 1990 and not August 28, 1998 as shown in his submitted NSO.

 As a result the five players as well as coach Lubguban were banned for life from playing in the CESAFI, a swift and decisive action that was hailed by SWU.

"We would like to congratulate the Screening Committee's diligence in upholding the sanctity of the rules governing the high school basketball tournament and the results of their findings regarding the eligibility of a number of the school's players  and the involvement of some of the coaching staff," said SWU Vice President for Student Life Gilbert Magno Braganza in a letter to CESAFI commissioner Felix "Boy" O. Tiukinhoy, Jr.

"We therefore accept the decision reached by the committee to suspend all those involved and found guilty of falsifying the players' NSO documents."

"As a result of this unfortunate development, we have decided to dissolve the high school basketball team and withdraw  from this year's tournament until such time we conduct our own investigation into this disturbing matter, enforce out own  sanctions on those involved, and establish a team that meets all the rules of the tournament as well as embodies the true ideals and vision of the school," Braganza continued.

As an added punishment, Aznar said the concerned players will all be stripped of their scholarships and be sent back  home in Cagayan de Oro where they all come from.

Manginsay, for his part, did not discount the possibility of pursuing legal actions against the brains behind these shenanigans.

"There are people under our employ who may have committed actions that we will not condone or just take lightly. We will deal with this after the investigation,said Manginsay. "The investigation must be serious enough because we can't afford to have these kind of people who are out to tarnish the integrity of our school."

When pressed on the possible sanctions, he replied:"termination of job and filing of criminal charges, if necessary."

On the other hand, Aznar assured that the school's athletic program will continue despite the withdrawal of their high

school team in the 15th CESAFI season set to open tomorrow at the Cebu Coliseum.

"It's really not our intention to submit these records. We were deceived,"said Aznar. But despite what happened, our

basketball program will continue. Maybe we will just form first an SBP or Passelle (developmental) teams, which is the best thing to do in running a high school program," said Aznar. "If you have this feeder or grassroots program, it is easier for you

to build a contending team."

Aznar's statement is in conformity with the sporting path SWU wants to chart in the future.

"As we are in a delicate management transition process, we are still trying to address many operational and  administrative challenges, one of critical importance is the sports program. With CESAFI's guidance and support, it is hoped  that the school pursue a more meaningful sports program, one that is founded on truth, dignity and excellence," said Braganza. (FREEMAN)