Monday, November 10, 2003

LAST-MINUTE GOAL HANDS TITLE TO UC


Courtesy of Sun Star Newspaper (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/)
Monday, November 10, 2003 issue
by Patrick C. Costelo, Correspondent

SAVVY playing coach Glen Ramos showed his wards and his foes the heart of a champion when he took UC-Hapee to its third championship in four years with a last-minute slammer yesterday against Crazy Horse in the electrifying finals of the 7th Aboitiz Cup football Men’s division at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Meanwhile, another nail-biting match-up saw University of San Carlos nab third place from newcomer Philippine Air Force (PAF), 4-3, via penalty shootout.

Hapee, which came off a four-game win streak since the eliminations, had a tough time against the agile defense of its foreigner-laden rivals.

After a scoreless first half, the game soon turned intensely physical, which led to some verbal tiffs at the end of the match.

Both sides failed to convert on a few attempts but the seasoned UC-Hapee slowly took control of the final 45 minutes.

UC-Hapee which almost limited Crazy Horse to defense but after a few close shots, still remained scoreless as Crazy Horse had their center forwards marked.

With an extension looming, UC had its last- chance to execute its game plan, taking the last line of defenders mid-court.

Center-forward Redrick Viliran, one of Hapee’s four imports from Dumaguete, who earlier led the team in the semis over PAF, had the ball mid-court off a quick pass. Two defenders closed in on Viliran but Ramos, who manned the midfield was already ahead to receive the pass, and with one touch evaded the last defender and pulled the trigger for the win.

“We were finally able to complete our plan late in the game. We knew we had the chance when we gained more possessions in the second half,” said the 36-year-old Ramos, who was once the youngest starter in the RP Team at 17 back in 1984.

“I’d like to thank Hapee for its continuous support, UC, and our players from Dumaguete, Redrick, Marcos, Oliver and Greg.”

Sunday, November 09, 2003

ABOITIZ CUP MEN'S FINALS TODAY


Courtesy of Sun Star Newspaper (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/)
Sunday, November 09, 2003 issue
by Patrick C. Costelo, Staff Writer

A RE-ENERGIZED University of Cebu-Hapee takes its second shot at the crown in two years today when it faces newcomer Crazy Horse in the championship match of the 7th Aboitiz Cup football Men’s division at the Cebu City Sports Center at 3 p.m.

In the battle for third, perennial semifinalist University of San Carlos and another newcomer, Philippine Air Force, collide at 1 p.m.

UC-Hapee, mentored by playing coach and former RP team booter Glen Ramos, has been raring to take the title after losing to the Kim Relucio-led University of San Jose-Recoletos last year.

After losing its first outing, UC swept the remainder of its games all the way to ripping PAF in the semifinals two weeks ago, 6-1. Striker Redrick Viliran broke the silence with a goal in the 19th and finished with two goals after slamming in a direct goal in the 40th.

Rookie Marco Larrazabal, on the other hand, continued to deliver after similarly finishing with two goals in that semis match-up.

UC-Hapee, like Crazy Horse, is also a new team filled with players straight out of high school including former M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation stalwarts Josephat Sacil, Carlos Bolo, Jack Reston and Arnie Pasinabo. The team, however, has had more time to jell compared to Crazy Horse.

But that may matter little against the talent-laden Crazy Horse made up mostly of young foreigners, who have gone through enormous odds to reap their championship slot in their first year in the league organized by the Cebu Football Association.

Saturday, November 01, 2003

MISSIONARY STUDENTS UPSET UV BOOTERS, 1-0


Courtesy of Sun Star Newspaper (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/)
Saturday, November 01, 2003 issue
by Rommel C. Manlosa, Staff Writer

DON Bosco Missionary Seminary pulled off a surprise 1-0 win win over the highly touted University of the Visayas-Compostela in the 20th Coke-Go-for-Goal Under-16 tournament held at the University of San Carlos Technological Center pitch in Talamban.

While the eight-player University of San Carlos-Boys School was able to offset its lack of manpower to draw with Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion-Mandaue, 1-1, in the other game last Sunday.

Sweeper Hans Calzada caught the defense of the Bro. Rosmon Valenciano-mentored UV 11 as he found the back of the net just eight minutes after the starting whistle. The Bosconians then played excellent defense to frustrate the offense of the Visayanians until the final minute of the game.

The Bosconians are now poised to take away the semifinal seat from UV as they tied their prey at second place with a 1-1 win-loss record each.

It was an unfortunate conclusion for UV-Compostela, which earlier defeated Cebu City National Science High School, 3-1.

Meanwhile, the eight-player USC-BS squad of coach Orlando Salera opened the game with a goal from Lubianan on the third minute and were poised to take the victory away from CIC-Mandaue, which struggled to break the defense of the Carolinians before Ceniza found the back of the neat on the 90th minute, just a shade before the final whistle.

It was a tough defensive stance displayed by USC-BS, which missed the services of three players, going toe-to-toe with CIC-M before succumbing to a draw in the final minute of the game.

USC-BS lags at third place in Group A and could take away the second spot if it wins over the inexperienced USJ-R squad.

Cebu elimination champions Don Bosco Technical Center is favored to get another trip to the Visayas finals in December following a 9-0 victory over USJ-R in a Group A match.