CRMC coach Paul Alelu Flores (holding a board), during one of their Cesafi games. | Photo from CESAFI
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The head coach of the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs Paul Alelu Flores spoke out after the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) officials suspended their co-team captain Keaton Clyde Taburnal for unsportsmanlike conduct.
In a message sent to CDN Digital, Flores said that they always respect the Cesafi board’s decision regarding Taburnal’s suspension served on Monday, October 16, 2023.
READ: Keaton Taburnal of CRMC Mustangs suspended for two games by Cesafi
Taburanal suspended, fined
Taburnal was suspended for two games and will have to pay P10,000 and do four hours of community service after he was seen in a video punching University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters’ John Herben Linares in the abdomen during their October 14 game at the Cebu Coliseum, which UC won, 84-68.
The video was uploaded online and became viral, stirring up the local basketball scene.
READ: CRMC Mustangs ready to compete in Cesafi 2023
Coach reaction
“As a coach, first, I ALWAYS RESPECT the decision of the CESAFI Board especially to our dear commissioner. This will be a learning experience for our players and for the team knowing what Taburnal can give to our team. We will stay composed and confident. We know ourselves better than them,” said Flores.
Taburnal is the second player from the Mustangs, one of Cesafi’s three newest member schools to be suspended.
This as, their team captain Paulo Dalumpines is serving his suspension for committing two unsportsmanlike fouls in their previous games.
READ: Gun-shy Patrick Yu pulls trigger late to anchor NU victory over La Salle
Make adjustments
CRMC is scheduled to play fellow newcomers, the Benedicto College Cheetahs, tomorrow, Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum at 6:00 p.m.
They currently have one win and three losses in the team standings, while Benedicto has a 1-2 (win-loss) record.
Without Taburnal, their primary shooter, and Dalumpines, the Mustangs will need to make a major adjustment for tomorrow’s game.