Pros and cons of having no foreign player in Cesafi

SOME of the Cesafi’s best players have shared their thoughts on the news that foreign players will be prohibited from playing in the league starting in 2021.

Reigning league MVP, Jaybie Mantilla of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, affirmed that their presence in the league helps local players improve.

“The foreign players are more advanced in terms of skills. They can really help you develop as a basketball player especially in practice when you have to go up against them. You become more motivated to do well,” said Mantilla, who is set to play in his final season for the Jaguars.

Mantilla, however, also saw the upside in not having them. He reasoned that without the foreigners, the locals would lean more on one another. The local big men would also get time in the limelight.

The University of the Visayas’ team captain, Josue Segumpan, also said that the challenge that the foreigners pose, whether in practice or actual games, help the locals get better.

“They are much taller and stronger than us. They really challenge us to become better. You really have to work extra hard just to be able to compete with them,” said the senior sniper.

Lucky Ecarma, the veteran forward of the University of San Carlos, saw both sides of the coin when it came to having foreign players in the league.

“In a way, it has raised the level of play and the competitiveness in the local basketball scene. But consequently, having these foreign players play here has taken away the chance of the local big men to be able to play and show their skills,” Ecarma remarked.

The University of Cebu’s ace guard, Darrell Shane Menina, who has played with his fair share of foreign student-athletes during his time with the Mapua Cardinals, who then had Allwell Oraeme, to National University, before making his way back to his hometown to play for the Webmasters, said that playing against these guys helps the locals prepare for the big leagues.

“They have really helped in my development since their size and length simulates what it might be like to play in the pro league. If we’re able to get there, then we won’t be having that hard a time,” Menina said.

Long time Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy announced on Monday the news that the league will not allow foreign players starting in 2021.

“We made that decision because we want to have a level playing field and most of the Cesafi member schools cannot afford to have their own foreign players,” Tiukinhoy said.