13 BARRED IN CESAFI FOOTBALL

Courtesy of Sun Star Newspaper (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/)

October 4, 2008 Saturday issue

By Edri K. Aznar, Staff Reporter

Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

DEFENDING champion University of San Jose-Recoletos will face last season’s powerhouse team, the University of the Visayas, in the opening of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) football tournament at the University of San Carlos-Technology Center football field.

On the other hand, the Cesafi Screening Committee has barred 13 football players for the Cesafi football tournament because of academic deficiencies.

Tournament manager Jonathan Maximo told Sun.Star Cebu that he has advised the 13 players from the different schools not to play in the tournament because he believes that the studies of the students are much more important than the games.

Education first

“Cesafi wants to put education first before the games. They were advised not to play for their own good. They have to take care of their studies first before playing football,” said Maximo. “That’s real essence of Cesafi football. It’s beyond the game,” he added.

Meanwhile, today will feature an intense match up of the two best teams of last season. UV finished the season first with three wins, no losses and a draw but was unfortunately disqualified from the tournament after having ineligible players in the squad.

Meanwhile USJ-R finished the elimination round with two victories, a defeat and a draw and defeated 2006 title holders USC, 2-0, in last season’s championships.

Following the most awaited match up will be a game between first runnerup USC against University of Cebu and a match between University of Southern Philippines-Foundation and the Cesafi football newcomer Cebu Doctors University.

Beforehand, there will be quick opening kickoff by Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy and tournament manager and former Cebu Football Association President Jonathan Maximo followed by the high school games of USPF vs. USJ-R at 8 a.m. and a match between Don Bosco Technology Center and USC. (EKA)