Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.

Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.
Upcoming season or competition:
Current sports event CESAFI Season 26
SportVarious
Founded2000
First season2001
PresidentFrancisco Antonio Estepa
CommissionerFelix Tiukinhoy, Jr.
No. of teams18
CountryPhilippines
Websitewww.cesafi.ph

The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) is a sports and academic association of 18 schools, colleges and universities in Cebu, Philippines.

History

The Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) was established in 2000 as Cebu's primary inter-school tournament. It supplanted the defunct Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA) which ran from the 1930s to 2000.

CESAFI is the province's counterpart to Metro Manila's University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) with the CESAFI becoming known for its basketball championship.

The new league was announced on July 2001 with Baldomero Estenzo as its first commissioner. CESAFI's first set of officers were sworn in on September 2001 by Jose Gullas.

In 2015, Southwestern University was found to have fielded overaged basketball players in their high school team after it was discovered that nine of its players have submitted the tampered versions of their birth certificates. The school withdrew from the high school division and apologized for the incident. SWU returned to the high school division the following year.

In the 2018–19 season, the University of Cebu – Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue Campus became the thirteenth member school to join the CESAFI tournament.

The CESAFI was one of the many sports leagues affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced the league to cancel its 2020 season. It was not also held in 2021.

In 2022, the University of the Philippines Cebu confirmed its participation in the CESAFI, becoming its 14th member school. Also in the same year, CESAFI Esports League was also inaugurated. It is the first collegiate esports competition in the Philippines that is under the supervision of athletic directors from CESAFI member schools.

After the 2023-24 season, Southwestern University PHINMA Cobras announced their departure from the league.

Member schools

Current

There are a total of sixteen member schools in the college division.

In the high school division there are thirteen members. All ten schools in the college division have a team in the high school division. Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, as a K-12 school, is the only member without an affiliated team in the college division, while Velez College does not have a high school division affiliate.

InstitutionLocationFoundedTypeCollegiate divisionHigh school divisionSchool colors
Benedicto College Mandaue 2000 Private Cheetahs Baby Cheetahs    
Cebu Eastern College Cebu City 1915 Private Dragons Baby Dragons      
Cebu Doctors' University Mandaue 1973 Private White Stallions    
Cebu Institute of Technology – University Cebu City 1946 Private Wildcats Junior Wildcats    
Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges Bogo 1947 Private Mustangs Baby Mustangs    
Don Bosco Technical College Cebu City 1954 Private (Salesian) Greywolves Baby Greywolves    
Felipe R. Verallo Foundation College Bogo 1988 Private Blue Dragons    
PAREF Springdale School Cebu City 1996 Private (Opus Dei) N/a Titans    
Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu Mandaue 1955 Private (Jesuits) N/a Magis Eagles    
The Sisters of Mary School-Boystown (guest) Minglanilla, Cebu 1992 Private (Sisters of Mary) N/a Aloysian Eagles    
University of Cebu Cebu City 1964 Private Webmasters Junior Webmasters    
University of Cebu – Lapu-Lapu & Mandaue Campus Mandaue 1995 Private UC–LM Webmasters UCLM Junior Webmasters    
University of San Carlos Cebu City 1595 Private (Society of the Divine Word) Warriors Baby Warriors      
University of San Jose–Recoletos Cebu City 1947 Private (Augustinian Recollect) Jaguars Jaguar Cubs      
University of Southern Philippines Foundation Cebu City 1927 Private Panthers Baby Panthers    
University of the Philippines Cebu Cebu City 1918 Public Fighting Maroons Junior Fighting Maroons    
University of the Visayas Cebu City 1919 Private Green Lancers Baby Lancers    
Velez College Cebu City 1966 Private Present N/a

Former

InstitutionLocationFoundedJoinedLast seasonTypeCollegiate divisionHigh school divisionSchool colors
City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy (probationary) Bogo, Cebu 2012 2022 2023 Public N/a Trailblazers    
Southwestern University PHINMA Cebu City 1946 2000 2024 Private Cobras Baby Cobras    

Venue

The Cebu Coliseum has been the traditional venue for the basketball tournament of CESAFI.

Events

The CESAFI sets itself apart from other Philippine inter-school leagues as aside from its sporting events, it also holds academic and cultural events, which are contested and participated by all of its member schools. As of 2018, CESAFI has 15 sporting events, and 14 academic and cultural events.

Sports

The league, as of 2018, has ten schools competing in 15 different sports:

The league also plans to add golf, weightlifting and bowling in the far future. Unlike the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, CESAFI teams do not compete for an overall championship.

Academic and cultural events

As of the 2018 season, CESAFI has twelve schools competing in 14 academic and cultural events. These events consist of the following:

CESAFI Basketball Championship

CESAFI Basketball Championship
SportBasketball
Founded2001
No. of teams19 teams (as of 2025):
  • 8 - College division
  • 11 - High school division
Most recent
champions
Most titles

CESAFI's basketball tournament is arguably its most popular event, and is considered one of the country's top collegiate basketball tournaments, along with the UAAP and NCAA's basketball tournaments. Below is the list of champions of the CESAFI Basketball Tournament.

Champions

Academic
Year		 College High school
2001–02UV school colors University of the VisayasUV school colors University of the Visayas
2002–03UV school colors University of the VisayasUSJ-R school colors University of San Jose – Recoletos
2003–04UV school colors University of the VisayasUV school colors University of the Visayas
2004–05UV school colors University of the VisayasUV school colors University of the Visayas
2005–06UV school colors University of the VisayasUV school colors University of the Visayas
2006–07UV school colors University of the VisayasUC school colors University of Cebu
2007–08UV school colors University of the VisayasUV school colors University of the Visayas
2008–09UV school colors University of the VisayasUC school colors University of Cebu
2009–10UV school colors University of the VisayasCIT-U school colors Cebu Institute of Technology
2010–11UC school colors University of CebuCEC school colors Cebu Eastern College
2011–12UC school colors University of CebuUV school colors University of the Visayas
2012–13SWU-PHINMA school colors Southwestern UniversitySHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2013–14UV school colors University of the Visayas
No champion awarded
2014–15SWU-PHINMA school colors Southwestern UniversitySHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2015–16USC school colors University of San CarlosSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2016–17UV school colors University of the VisayasSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2017–18UV school colors University of the VisayasUV school colors University of the Visayas
2018–19UV school colors University of the VisayasUC school colors University of Cebu
2019–20SWU-PHINMA school colors Southwestern UniversitySHS-AdC school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2020–21
Tournament canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022–23UV school colors University of the VisayasSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2023–24UV school colors University of the VisayasSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2024–25UV school colors University of the VisayasSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2025–26UV school colors University of the VisayasSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu

Most Valuable Players

Season

Season College High school
College MVP School High school MVP School
2001Jerry CavanCIT-U school colors Cebu Institute of TechnologyReed JuntillaUV school colors University of the Visayas
2002Neil RañesesUV school colors University of the VisayasRanulfo John MalinaoUSJ-R school colors University of San Jose – Recoletos
2003JR QuiñahanUV school colors University of the VisayasHarold CincofloresUV school colors University of the Visayas
2004JR QuiñahanUV school colors University of the VisayasEulogio Lasala, Jr.UV school colors University of the Visayas
2005Mark AbabonUV school colors University of the VisayasPhil MercaderUV school colors University of the Visayas
2006Enrico John LlantoUSC school colors University of San CarlosReynan Capoy †UC school colors University of Cebu
2007Enrico John LlantoUSC school colors University of San CarlosJunard PremacioUV school colors University of the Visayas
2008Greg SlaughterUV school colors University of the VisayasMarty John PearceUC school colors University of Cebu
2009
Greg SlaughterUV school colors University of the VisayasMark Jayven TalloCIT-U school colors Cebu Institute of Technology
June Mar FajardoUC school colors University of Cebu
2010June Mar FajardoUC school colors University of CebuNikee MontalvoCEC school colors Cebu Eastern College
2011June Mar FajardoUC school colors University of CebuPaul DesiderioUV school colors University of the Visayas
2012Wowie EscosioUV school colors University of the VisayasDawn Hynric OcheaSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2013Mark Jayven TalloSWU-PHINMA school colors Southwestern UniversityJustine DacalosUC school colors University of Cebu
2014Mark Jayven TalloSWU-PHINMA school colors Southwestern UniversityFelixberto Jaboneta IVSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2015Shooster OlagoUSC school colors University of San CarlosJed Cedrick ColoniaSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2016Rey Anthony SuerteUV school colors University of the VisayasJed Cedrick ColoniaSHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2017Jaybie MantillaUSJ-R school colors University of San Jose-RecoletosBeirn Anthony LaurenteUV school colors University of the Visayas
2018Rey Anthony SuerteUV school colors University of the VisayasJerick Jan RanidoUC school colors University of Cebu
2019Shaquille ImperialSWU-PHINMA school colors Southwestern UniversityLA CasinilloSHS-AdC school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2020
None
2021
None
2022Jiesel TarrosaUV school colors University of the VisayasJared BahaySHS-AdC school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2023Kent Ivo SalardaUV school colors University of the VisayasJared BahaySHS-AdC school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2024Raul Carlito GentallanUV school colors University of the VisayasRodolfo Froilan MaglasangSHS-AdC school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
2025Kent Ivo SalardaUV school colors University of the VisayasLian Kent BasaSHS-AdC school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu
Notes
  1. ↑ Fajardo and Slaughter shared the MVP award in 2009.
  2. 1 2 Tournament canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Number of championships by school

University/SchoolCollegeHigh schoolTotalLast championship
UV school colors University of the Visayas177242025–26 College
UC school colors University of Cebu2572018–19 High school
SHS-Ateneo school colors Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu0992025–26 High school
SWU-PHINMA school colors Southwestern University PHINMA3032019–20 College
USC school colors University of San Carlos1012015–16 College
CEC school colors Cebu Eastern College0112010–11 High school
CIT-U school colors Cebu Institute of Technology – University0112009–10 High school
USJ-R school colors University of San Jose – Recoletos0112002–03 High school

Media coverage

Since its inception in 2001, replacing the old Cebu Amateur Athletic Association, CESAFI has received extensive coverage from the Cebu media and local and national newspapers like Sun.Star and The Philippine Star, but still lags behind in terms of its Manila-based counterparts UAAP and the NCAA in terms of publicity. Also, unlike the UAAP and NCAA, CESAFI had no national television partners. However, this changed as on its 15th season, the CESAFI went into nationwide TV coverage after signing an agreement with IBC 13 and Viva Sports. This agreement allowed the basketball, football and volleyball games to be televised on the channel. For its 16th season, CESAFI and Viva Sports partnered with AksyonTV to broadcast the basketball games, which is aired every Monday to Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. For its 19th season, the CESAFI is working with different student volunteers from the various member schools for the production coverage of the basketball games. The endeavour is called "CESAFI Live" and was hatched by long-time commissioner, Felix Tiukinhoy, Jr., who expressed his desire to create an environment where students are not just mere spectators. “We take CESAFI one step further this Season 19, not only by improving the environment for our student-athletes and other event contenders, but also by including more students not merely as spectators and fans, but as actual organizers and managers of various committees that make CESAFI a success,” said Tiukinhoy. All season long, the students would handling different elements of the production coverage such as camera handling, courtside reporting and annotating.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Migallen, Jun (January 2, 2026). "Cesafi marks historic 2025". SunStar. SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Limpag, Mike (September 22, 2013). "Limpag: Of lawsuits, the CAAA and Cesafi". SunStar. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  3. ↑ Ado, Marlon Jr. (February 25, 2026). "CESAFI Esports League Season 4 eyes continued growth of collegiate esports in Cebu". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  4. ↑ Songalia, Ryan (July 28, 2015). "CESAFI and its reputation for basketball excellence". Rappler. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Cesafi: Producing basketball champs over the years". SunStar. SunStar Publishing Inc. February 13, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  6. ↑ "CESAFI Induction". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 7, 2001. p. B10. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  7. ↑ Manlosa, Rommel C. (July 29, 2015). "To save face, SWU pulls out high school squad". Sun.Star. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  8. ↑ Villaruel, Emmanuel (July 31, 2015). "SWU says sorry to CESAFI". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Baby Cobras try their luck again in Cesafi". SunStar. June 21, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  10. ↑ "UCLM to join major event before Cesafi starts". Sun.Star. August 14, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  11. ↑ Ochoa, Brian J.; Alison, Mars G. (May 1, 2020). "Cesafi cancels 2020 season due to COVID-19 threat". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  12. ↑ Villaruel, Emmanuel B. (September 17, 2022). "UP Cebu moapil sa CESAFI sa labing unang higayon" [UP Cebu joins the CESAFI for the first time]. Banat News. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  13. ↑ Rosal, Glendale G. (September 17, 2022). "UP Cebu launches its varsity program, gets ready for upcoming Cesafi". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  14. ↑ Versales, Howard Humphrey (August 6, 2023). "Showcasing those who showcase". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  15. ↑ Panerio, Jonas (May 3, 2024). "SWU Cobras leave CESAFI". SunStar. SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  16. ↑ Panerio, Jonas (November 29, 2023). "Cesafi ends CBSAA's participation in the league". SunStar. SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  17. ↑ ""We were never truly welcomed in the league": CBSAA Trailblazers accept CESAFI's fate". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  18. ↑ "SM Seaside Arena not yet in Cesafi's plans as future playing venue". Cebu Daily News. February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  19. ↑ Ballesteros, Jan (August 25, 2018). "New Cesafi season unfolds, SWU wins opening game". ESPN5. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  20. 1 2 Alison, Mars (November 3, 2018). "Cesafi academic and cultural events TO UNFURL NOV. 20". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  21. ↑ Villaruel, Emmanuel (July 17, 2013). "CESAFI mulls adding golf and weightlifting this year". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  22. ↑ Limpag, Mike (September 19, 2015). "Limpag: Will bowling meet Cesafi's conditions?". Sun.Star. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  23. 1 2 Ochoa, Brian J.; Alison, Mars G. (May 1, 2020). "Cesafi cancels 2020 season due to COVID-19 threat". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  24. ↑ Alison, Mars (July 29, 2015). "CESAFI basketball to be televised nationwide for the first time". Rappler. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  25. ↑ "CEBU'S FIERCELY COMPETITIVE COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE, CESAFI, TO BE TELECAST ON AKSYON TV". Philboxing. August 1, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.