A NONATHLETE'S PURSUIT OF OLYMPIC SUCCESS

NEW YORK TIMES. Hagen, 58, is a lawyer turned legal recruiter who happened upon an article in The Chicago Tribune in the run-up to the Summer Olympics about one female sprinter’s daunting quest to make an unlikely journey, from Baghdad to Beijing. In a year deeply scarred by a stock-market free fall and a dastardly scheme that made off with billions in charity investments, Hagen opened her checkbook, gave wholeheartedly to a cause that reached inside her, to the women’s activist within...

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Read more @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/sports/olympics/31araton.html?_r=1&ref=sports

A DIFFERENT SCHOOL OF THOUGHT

BUSINESS MIRROR. Several years ago, after a lackluster season where its football team didn’t win a single game, a Recto-based university sent its entire team packing. I guess a college football title was more important than making sure that these kids got an education. What education, you might ask, when they never went to class anyway?

The team was imported all the way from the province to play football and everything else be damned. Since it was the only thing they did well and they didn’t get the job done, they were replaced by another batch of footballers from another southern city. Well, since there’s no pro football league to pay you to keep playing, dog, where are you going after your eligibility has dried up?...

Read more @ http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3854:a-different-school-of-thought&catid=31:sports&Itemid=65

CEBUANO BIKERS RULE HILONGOS ROAD RACE

THE FREEMAN. CEBU - As expected, the Cebuano invaders dominated the 2008 Governor Icot Petilla Invitational Road Race in Hilongos, Leyte the other day...

Read more @ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=427932&publicationSubCategoryId=110

TALISAY RUN

THE FREEMAN. With races in Cebu being held almost every month, out-of-towners have been strutting their wares here for the past year. For instance, Cebu’s marathon queen Leszl Gitaruelas, used to dominate the women’s field, even winning 16 straight titles last year in the absence of strong contenders. Not anymore, Zamboanga’s Mary Grace Delos Santos proved she’s ready to make life uneasy for Leszl when she won last Sunday’s race in 39:28 while Leszl hobbled to 42:16...
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Read more @ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=427934&publicationSubCategoryId=110

DE LOS SANTOS LED WOMEN'S 10K

SUN STAR CEBU. OUT-of-town runners dominated the first ever Talisay Run yesterday held around the busy streets of Talisay City.

Bukidnon native Cri-frankreadel Indapan was the first to reach the finish line, winning the 10K Men’s Open title after crossing the end zone at the Talisay City Hall at 32 minutes and 59.643 seconds.

Zamboangueña Mary-grace de los Santos, on the other hand, topped the Women’s 10K Open, crossing the finish line at 39 minutes and 28.428 to rule the distaff side.

Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/marygrace-de-los-santos-zamboanga-led-women%E2%80%99s-10k-division

KENYAN MASTERS BEIJING'S ELEMENTS

NEW YORK TIMES. For all of their dominance in international distance running, Kenyan men had never won an Olympic marathon until the Beijing Games. When victory finally came, by Sammy Wanjiru in 2 hours 6 minutes 32 seconds, it was stunning. Given the oppressive weather conditions, it was a performance perhaps superior to any that Michael Phelps produced in the pool or Usain Bolt delivered on the track...

Read more @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/sports/olympics/28marathon.html?_r=1&ref=othersports

FIRST TALISAY RUN FIRES OFF TODAY

CEBU DAILY NEWS. THE REGION’S top runners compete in today’s inaugural Talisay Run, which will fire off in front of the Talisay City Hall...

Kabangis Runners Club's Simoun "Jun" Canton said around 400 runners are expected to participate in this last major marathon event of the year, which features the 3k, 5k and 10k divisions...

Read more @ http://sports.inquirer.net/cdnsports/cdnsports/view/20081228-180305/First-Talisay-Run-fires-off-today

DAGUPAN TO HOST NAT'L ATHLETICS TILT

MALAYA NEWS. THE 2009 National Open International Athletics Championship will be held in Dagupan City in May. Patafa chief Go Teng Kok said the Open will be the biggest in terms of participation as he expects China, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Japan and Qatar to send entries...

Read more @ http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec27/spor4.htm

BOLT SHINES ON THE TRACK IN 2008

GMA NEWS. Two of the greatest distance runners of all time also had stellar years, with Kenenisa Bekele winning both the 5,000 and 10,000 at the Olympics. In the longer race, the Ethiopian great beat 1996 and 2000 Olympic 10,000 champion Haile Gebrselassie, who only competed in that event after opting out of the marathon because of pollution fears...

Read more @ http://www.gmanews.tv/story/141376/Bolt-shines-on-the-track-in-2008

MONITORING OF RACES SOUGHT

The committee is the Patafa’s answer to marathon activities which are not properly organized and are held without a proper measurement of their distance, or where organizers sometimes do not take responsibility when accidents take place...

Read more @ http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports2_dec26_2008

LEARNING TO LOVE THE SPORT

The epidemic of childhood obesity is well-documented, along with the plethora of programs designed to get kids away from the tube. But the real road to fitness is to fall in love with running as a lifetime passion and make it part of your identity, not something you "have to do" to keep from being fat. Here's a look at people and programs inspiring young people not just to get out, but to become athletes, challenging them to be better runners and better people, and building the future of the sport...

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"Running is a sport you can do for your entire life," says Austin. "You won't be playing football or basketball at 90, but you can still be running!"...

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It could be said that runners lead a storybook life. We wake up every morning with passion and purpose, determination and drive. All it takes is a good run to clear the mind and recharge the batteries. Running is our medicine, our fountain of youth, our religion, our shrink, our best friend. As Peter Pressman likes to say, "Every day is a great day for running." To introduce the next generation of runners to our world is truly a gift...

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Sanderson sums it up best: "I have found that being a runner has brought me joy, strength, self-confidence, peace, focus, friendship, good health and so many other gifts. For me, being a runner is like having access to a hidden treasure -- a world of possibilities for a better life, if you are willing to put in a great deal of time and effort. I coach because I want to help my kids access that hidden treasure."...

Read more @ http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=15244&PageNum=1

NO SIGN OF FINISH LINE FOR HAILE

"I started to think about how I could train and then I noticed that my hotel corridor was very long. I put on my shoes and started to run up and down it, and then some of my friends joined me...

Read more @ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/3851424/No-sign-of-finish-line-for-Haile-Gebrselassie.html

SEASON'S GREETINGS

Sometimes, we wish we were young, we wish we were somewhere else, we wish we had something more.

But often times, we wish too much that we miss to enjoy who we are, where we are and what what we have.

The secret to hapiness is to embrace and appreciate everything that happens in our life. Season's greetings, from all that I am to all that you are.

Maxi@PaBolFC.com

A GODFATHER FOR TnF IN '09

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER. MANILA, Philippines—Philippine track and field hopes to take big strides next year.

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A big corporation has committed itself to serve as godfather of the sport starting next year when the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) embarks on an ambitious campaign that will include training camps, foreign exposure and even scholarships for the national pool members...

Read more @ http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20081224-179848/A-godfather-for-track-and-field-in-09

LIMPAG: PLAYING SANTA THIS CHRISTMAS

SUN STAR CEBU. IT’S Christmas Eve! That time of the year when you get to stay up really late and open your gifts—whether you’ve been nice or not so nice.

In the spirit of Christmas, and since giving is better than receiving, Fair Play made the rounds and asked some of the notable names in Cebu sports what they would give if they get to play Santa this year, with the white hair, beard and tummy and all...

...Before we could achieve that, the football Santa, Jonathan Maximo, said his gift will be “a Cebu Sports Institute similar to the world-famous Australian Sports Institute, to be composed of passionate and competent Cebuano leaders who will chart Cebu as the next sports capital of the country!”

Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/limpag-playing-santa-christmas

BIRTHDAY BOY WINS IN DANAO

CEBU DAILY NEWS. Philip John Duenas celebrated his birthday with style on Sunday, winning the 10k men’s open title of the 28th Halad Kang Mano Amon Marathon at the same time in Danao City...

In the women’s side, the 21-year-old Delos Santos of Zamboanga City grabbed her third title in Cebu City after winning the Holiday Spa and UTAFA runs...

Read more @ http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/sports/view/20081222-179408/Birthday-boy-wins-in-Danao

MARATHON STARTS TODAY

CEBU DAILY NEWS. THE 28TH EDITION of the annual Halad Kang Mano Amon Marathon fires off today in front of the Danao City Hall...

Read more @ http://sports.inquirer.net/cdnsports/cdnsports/view/20081221-179196/Marathon-starts-today

LAPU MANDAUE BRIDGE MARATHON ON

CEBU DAILY NEWS. Deresas said that the key objective of the race is to introduce two bridges to the visiting tourists as the Golden Gate of Cebu. “This race is also intended to discover new running talents, encourage and develop the youth through sports, to educate, train and unite different sports activities as well to support the tourism industry through sports,” Deresas said...

Read more @ http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/sports/view/20081218-178637/Dec-21-Lapu-Mandaue-Bridge-Marathon-on

3rd PLACE: SHOOT-OUT PHOTO GALLERY #5

USPF equalizes! Score now at 2-2

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS

CEBU DAILY NEWS. Multi-awarded Leszl Gitaruelas and John Philip Duenas emerged victorious in the 7th edition of the Cebu Midnight Run at the City Sports Club-Cebu in the Cebu Business Park...

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Read more @ http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/sports/view/20081215-178132/Midnight-express

SHOE4AFRICA 4KM

Following the race a very special football match took place which drew together some of the all-time greats of Kenyan athletics. Robert Cheruiyot, the four-time Boston Marathon champion, Martin Lel, the three-time London Marathon winner...

Read more @ http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=48695.html

A MOVING 40TH BIRTHDAY GIFT

NEW YORK TIMES. For an avid runner, perhaps a synthetic running shirt would be a welcome gift. Maybe a heart-rate monitor, or an iPod. But for a truly one-of-a-kind gift, nothing could beat what Michael Chambers received for his 40th birthday on Thursday: a world-class runner from Kenya for a day...

Read more @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/sports/othersports/12run.html?_r=1&ref=othersports

3rd PLACE: SHOOT-OUT PHOTO GALLERY #4

Goal! USC now leads 2-1

USC 2nd kicker converts his penalty kick

PACMAN'S NEXT CHALLENGE: TO FINISH COLLEGE

"Gusto ko pa ring ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral ko. Gusto ko matapos iyun. Iba naman ang boxing hindi pang-habangbuhay [I want to continue my schooling. I want that. Boxing is different, as that is not for life],” he said...

Read more @ http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/dec/11/yehey/top_stories/20081211top2.html

TALISAY RUNNING EVENT

THE FREEMAN. CEBU - If you pass the South Coastal Road early mornings, you’ll see so many runners pounding the concrete road. The new road surely has given the running buffs in Talisay City a place to sweat it out early mornings without having to worry about falling into potholes...

Read more @ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=422816&publicationSubCategoryId=110

PHIL SPORTS INSTITUTE

MANILA BULLETIN. It also offers programs on sports management, leadership, training and conditioning, coaching, first aid, officiating, injury and rehabilitation, marketing, psychology, journalism, fitness management, nutrition, fund raising, tourism, programming, event management, facilities planning and management, and community sports programming...

Read more @ http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20081210143207.html

PACQUIAO VOWS TO PROMOTE DepEd PROGRAM

PHIL DAILY INQUIRER. “It’s time for everyone to help education and truly create a bright future for our young people, especially those who are out-of-school,” ... “education is the only antidote to the country’s problems.”...

Read more @ http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20081210-177115/Pacquiao-vows-to-promote-DepEd-program

3rd PLACE: SHOOT-OUT PHOTO GALLERY #3

USC's Wang Escudero guessed the direction of the ball but still not enough...

USPF's 1st kicker retaliates, score is now 1-1

SUFFERING, VICTORY AT SINGAPORE MARATHON

SUN STAR CEBU. TORTOISE? On my part, I ran a steady pace—never getting injured, relishing and enjoying the entire way—finishing in 5:20. I will write in more detail soon—but the one difference I did this time: I prayed. With the rosary bracelet gifted by Vic Verallo, I prayed while on the run. And, when I finally crossed the finish to celebrate a moment I’ll never forget, the first act I did was to point both hands to the sky and thank Him...

Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/pages-suffering-victory-singapore-marathon

CEBU'S ATHLETICS GODFATHER...

Congratulations SirDan. You deserve it. - Maxi Maximo, PaBolFC

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SUN STAR CEBU. For reviving the sport that was almost dead in Cebu a few years ago, Cebu’s athletics godfather, Dr. Danilo Villadolid, was honored for all his hard work in the United Track and Field Athletes of Cebu Incoporated (Utafa) 10K Road race held last Sunday at the Capitol grounds...

Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu%E2%80%99s-athletics-godfather-honored-hurdles-race

DUENAS, DE LOS SANTOS RULE UTAFA RACE

SWU is a member of CESAFI. What they lack in football, they compensate it in athletics. - Maxi Maximo, PaBolFC

THE FREEMAN (CEBU) - Southwestern University’s Philip Duenas and Mary Grace de los Santos of Zamboanga outsmarted the rest of the seasoned runners amidst heavy downpour to rule the UTAFA 10-K Road Race Hurdle to Run yesterday...

Read more @ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=422049&publicationSubCategoryId=110

3rd PLACE: SHOOT-OUT PHOTO GALLERY #2

1st Shoot-Out Kick from USC. USPF mans the goal...
Goal! USC leads 1-0
USC 1st shoot-out kicker, #10 Josephus Bernaldez, right after scoring USC's 1st goal.

... WOMEN IN SPORTS

PHIL DAILY INQUIRER (Manila)—Marathon, badminton and volleyball clinics as well as tournaments were held recently to cap activities in the Visayas leg of Women in Sports Nationwide in Tagbilaran City.

Read more @ http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20081205-176218/DepEd-PSC-team-up-for-Women-in-Sports

CHILDREN'S GAMES SET DEC 22

THE FREEMAN (Cebu). A total of 10 teams will take part in the inaugural staging of the event, two of which coming from the Muslim community, one from the streetchildren, and the rest from the different barangays.

Read more @ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=421279&publicationSubCategoryId=110

RAMIREZ ENDORSES FR. UY AS NEXT PSC CHAIR

CEBU - If he has his way, Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez wants commissioner Fr. Vicente “Vic” L. Uy, SVD as his successor. Ramirez has already tendered his resignation, but had been advised to stay put on his post.

Read more @ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=421278&publicationSubCategoryId=110

ASEAN SCHOOL SPORTS COUNCIL...

THE FREEMAN. The gathering is aimed to further promoting physical education and recreation through school-based sports... Read more @ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=420939&publicationSubCategoryId=110

PAGES: BETTER TO HAVE A "GOOD TIME" OR A GOOD TIME?

SUN STAR CEBU. AS I’VE written on this sports box on many occasions, last Feb. 17, I attempted my first 42K run at the Hong Kong Marathon and failed. At the 28th-kilometer mark, I succumbed to massive cramps then, when the muscle pain subsided, the sides of my knees hurt like they were hammered by a baseball bat. I limped to the 36th km. until the five-hour mark arrived but couldn’t finish within the allotted 5-hour, 30-minute marathon cutoff time.

Why did I fail?... Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/pages-better-have-%E2%80%98good-time%E2%80%99-or-god-time

3rd PLACE: SHOOT-OUT PHOTO GALLERY #1

The 3rd place game between USPF and USC was a 0-0 nil. To break the deadlock, both teams will have to go through a penalty shoot-out. Shown here are the team's pre shoot-out rituals, USPF (above) and USC (below).

LIMPAG: THAT RUNNER'S HIGH...

SUN STAR CEBU. IF you want to learn the meaning of “passion for sports,” then check the marathoners. They are one of the prime examples. I mean, who in his right mind would run 42 kilometers?

For non-marathoners, 42 kilometers is just a number but if you want to imagine how far is that, then picture this.

Walking from Abellana National School to the Provincial Capitol may seem daunting but that’s only 1.82 kilometers (thanks to Google Earth). Imagine running back and forth from Abellana to the Capitol 23 times. Or, get this. The distance covered by the 13B route from the University of San Carlos-Technological Center to the USC Main Campus is only 6.40 kilometers, imagine going back and forth six and a half times.

Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/limpag-runner%E2%80%99s-high-and-perfect-speech

PAGES: MILE AFTER MILLETE...

SUN STAR CEBU. Imagine that: nearly 500 kilometers of running per month! I bet—for comparison’s sake—that nine out of 10 people on earth will not hit 500 kilometers of combined running their entire life...

Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/pages-mile-after-millete-after-mile

FINALS: USJ-R EQUALIZER

USJ-R was down by a goal in the championship game vs UV... until they scored the equalizer on the early minutes of the 2nd half.

USJ-R supporters celebrate the goal from the sidelines. Score is tied 1-1
Striker Jun-Jun Pintuan (#23), mobbed by his teammates, scored the equalizing goal on the 47th min. of the 2nd half.

LIMPAG: BEST COLLEGIATE TEAM

...That win cemented USJ-R’s status as the best collegiate team in Cebu football. Not only did it defend its crown, it also kept alive an amazing streak—making the Cesafi finals for eight straight years...

Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/limpag-pacquiao-reveals-political-plans

3rd PLACE: USPF vs USC PHOTO GALLERY #2

Who took my shin guards?

USC team capt. & goalkeeper Wang Escudero

HAIL TO THE FANS!

University of San Carlos players and fans.

University of the Visayas (left) and University of San Jose - Recoletos (right).

University of San Jose - Recoletos crowd.

FINALS: USJ-R vs UV PHOTO GALLERY #2

Julius Acre (right) scored for UV in the 21st min. of the championship game.

3rd PLACE: USPF vs USC PHOTO GALLERY #1

TOP GOALSCORERS - COLLEGE

2008 CESAFI FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
October 4 to November 22, 2008
USC-TC Field, Talamban, Cebu City
Organized by Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.
Managed by PaBolFC

TOP GOALSCORERS - COLLEGE
as of November 22, 2008

Twelve (12) Goals:
Rodney Gandionco (UC)

Five (5) Goals:
Rene Sanchez Jr. (USPF)

Four (4) Goals:
Adrianne Mejaran (USJ-R)

Three (3) Goals:
Paul dela Victoria (USJ-R), Robert Mamac (USJ-R), Ariel Repeso (UC), Kyle Soriano (USC)

Two (2) Goals:
Jonathan Jamili (USJ-R), Julius Jumao-as (UC), John Opigal (USPF), Saddam Samontanez (UC), Joseph Sanchez (USPF), Daryl Tan (UC), Earl Yagao (USJ-R)

One (1) Goal:
Julius Acre (UV), Frederick Alazas (UV), Eduardo Buglosa (USJ-R), John Casayan (USPF), Maurice Chebasa (USC), Eldon Ensumo (USC), Joedel Fuertes (UV), Edmar Galacio (USPF), Patrick Gandionco (CDU), Renan Gustilo (USC), Russel Layumas (USJ-R), Melvin Lauron (UV), Patrick Philip (USC), Valentine Ragasajo (USPF), John Sulib (UV)

Total Goals: 62
Total Matches: 19
Ave. Goals per Match: 3.3

Maxi Maximo
PaBolFC
Tournament Managers

Felix Tiukinhoy
Commissioner

NOT IN THIS SPORT

Courtesy of Cebu Daily Newspaper (http://www.inquirer.net/)

Sunday, November 23, 2008 issue

by Jonas Panerio, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

The University of the Visayas (UV) may very well be the rulers of the Cesafi basketball wars but in the land of football, there is none better than the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

This the Jaguars emphatically proved as they captured their sixth title in eight years after beating the Green Lancers, 6-5, via a pulse-pounding penalty shootout to close out the Cesafi football tournament yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center football pitch in Talamban.

The thrilling finish could not have gone any better for USJ-R or any worse for UV, as it went down to a courageous goal line stand from USJ-R goalkeeper Ralph Gaite on the last possession of the penalty shootout.

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With the score pegged at 6-5 after USJ-R got goals from Joven Torres, Adrianne Mejaran, Floren Luage, Paul dela Victoria and Robert Mamac and UV got scores from Julius Acre, Josephat Sacil, Melvin Lauron and Joedel Fuertes, it all came down to the foot of Jomar Labastida, who was shooting last for UV.

The latter, though, succumbed to nerves as his shot fell right into the hands of Gaite to give the win to the Jaguars.

USJ-R head coach Joselito Bono, was still in disbelief with his team's achievement in what has been a tumultuous title defense this year.

“Daghan kaayo bag-o, daghan sad ug mga injuries pero wala jud nila gihatag ang title,” said Bono immediately after the game.

The Jaguars were actually seeded third and barely made it to the semifinals. They had to knock out 2006 champion University of San Carlos (USC) to make it to the finals.

Meanwhile, the battle for third place also went the distance with the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) coming out on top, 4-3, in a penalty shootout win over USC.

FINALS: USJ-R vs UV PHOTO GALLERY #1

Shaolin soccer

USJ-R CAPTURES SIXTH TITLE

Courtesy of The Freeman Newspaper (http://www.philstar.com/)
Sunday, November 23, 2008 issue

by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol
Manny Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU - The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) proved steadier in the penalty shootout, edging the University of the Visayas 6-5 (UV) yesterday, to bag its sixth CESAFI football title.

The match ended at 1-1 after regulation and was still even after the 10-minute extension.

USJ-R booters Joven Torres, Adrienne Mejaran, Floren Luage, Paul dela Victoria and Robert Mamac, all beat UV’s goalie Garry Garciano in the shootout.

UV still had a chance to equalize again but Jomar Labastida was unable to kick past USJ-R’s goalie Ralp Patrick Gaite who easily caught the shot.

UV scored first during regulation after Julius Arce breached USJ-R defenses to find the net in the 21st minute. USJ-R tried to equalize but their offense was sputtering and disorganized, they were a goal down after the first half.

USJ-R’s anemic showing drew the ire of Coach Joselito Bono who let his players know of his displeasure during the break.

The scolding fired-up USJ-R.

They played aggressively in the second half and were able to equalize in the 47th minute courtesy of Jun-Jun Pintuan. In the penalty, USJ-R booters showed steely nerves as they all scored to retain the title they won last year and sixth overall.

UV was seeking redemption after missing the tournament last year when CESAFI banned the team from the tournament for fielding ineligible players.

USJ-R and UV last played for the crown in 2005. The two teams drew their first match in the elimination round. Football fans in the city keenly awaited the two teams’ final showdown.

In the other match, the University of Southern Philippines (USPF) trounced the University of San Carlos (USC) 4-3 in another penalty shootout to bag third place. (THE FREEMAN)

JAGUARS RETAIN CROWN

Courtesy of Sun Star Newspaper (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/)
Sunday, November 23, 2008 issue

by Edri K. Aznar, Staff Reporter

Mike T.Limpag, Sports Editor

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THE defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) successfully retained its title as it triumphed over the University of the Visayas (UV), 5-4, in an exhilarating penalty shootout in the 2008 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) college football finals at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Technology Center football grounds yesterday.

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UV had the upper hand in the early going as playmaking midfielder Julius Acre scored a free kick in the 21st minute for the 1-0 advantage.

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USJ-R just lacked the defensive and offensive intensity in the first half thus it went into halftime scoreless.

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However, after an inspirational pep talk by Coach Joselito Bono, USJ-R was revitalized and striker Junjun Pintuan scored a chip-in goal just two minutes into the second half.

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With the tight defense of both teams and fatigue setting in, the regulation and the extra period ended in a deadlock.

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In the penalty shootout, USJ-R was first to take the shot and defender Juvan Torres was successful in his strike, while Acre also converted his shot.

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Both teams then took turns scoring goals with USJR’s fifth kicker Robert Mamac scoring his shot for a 5-4 lead over UV.

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However, UV’s last kicker, Jomar Labastida, failed to convert his shot as it went straight to the arms of goalie Ralph Gaite for USJ-R’s penalty shootout victory.

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Coach Bono said after the game that they a hard time against UV in the first half because his team wasn’t as aggressive as their opponents.

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“They were very lax on defense and they took their shots hurriedly but they recovered in the second half,” said Bono.

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Bono also said that they had a very rough time in tournament because of the injuries and suspensions they had acquired through the games.

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Sixth title-

“We had difficulties in this season because our team has a lot of new players and some of our players were plagued with injuries,” said Bono, who is the most successful football coach in Cesafi history.With this victory USJ-R captured its sixth championship of the tournament.
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Meanwhile, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation took the third place honors after it edged USC, 4-3, also in a penalty shootout.
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Both teams traded shots as their two first kickers converted their kicks.
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USPF midfielder Valentine Ragasajo, the third kicker, scored a third goal for his team before USC star striker Kyle Soriano shocked the home crowd as his shot went wide to the left side and missed its target.
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After Racen Siaton converted his kick, Jason Domagtoy sealed the win for USPF with a save off Sean Gacayan’s final attempt.

SCHED & RESULTS '08 CESAFI COLLEGE

2008 CESAFI FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
COLLEGIATE DIVISIONOrganized by Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.
Managed by PaBolFC
October 4 to November 22, 2008
USC-TC Field, Talamban, Cebu City

OFFICIAL RESULTS:
November 22, 2005

Champion: UNIVERSITY OF SAN JOSE-RECOLETOS
2nd Place: UNIVERSITY OF THE VISAYAS
3rd Place: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN PHILS FOUNDATION
4th Place: UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS

USJ-R earns the right to represent Cebu in the 2009 PRISAA Regional Finals

TEAM STANDINGS (PRELIMINARY ROUND)
as of November 8, 2008

Rank (Previous):

1st (2nd)-University of Southern Phils Foundation (USPF): 10Pts +9GD (3W 1D 1L)
2nd (1st)-University of San Carlos (USC): 10Pts +4GD (3W 1D 1L)
3rd (4th)-University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R): 8Pts +12GD (2W 2D 1L)
4th (3rd)-University of the Visayas (UV): 7Pts +3GD (1W 4D 0L)
5th (5th)-University of Cebu (UC): 5Pts +11GD (1W 2D 2L)
6th (6th)-Cebu Doctor’s University (CDU): 0Pt -39GD (0W 0D 5L)

Single round-robbin. Win=3Pts; Draw=1Pt; Loss=0Pt. FIFA rules apply.
Top four (4) teams will advance to Semi-Final round.
Semi-Final pairings: Top 1 vs Top 4; Top 2 vs Top 3
Semi-Final winners to play for Championship.
Semi-Final losers to vie for 3rd Place.
Champion will represent Cebu in PRISAA Regional Finals.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
OCTOBER 4, 2008 SATURDAY
11:00AM Match #1: UV vs USJ-R
Result: 0-0 draw

Match Statistics: UV-USJRShots: 18-15; Shots on Target: 10-13; Fouls: 13-17; Corner Kicks: 2-1; Off-sides: 3-4; Penalty Kicks: none; Yellow Cards: 5-2; Red Cards: none

Yellow Cards:Junard Aguilar (UV), Jomar Labastida (UV), Julius Acre (UV), Melvin Lauron (UV), Frederick Alazas (UV), Franco Cedullo (USJ-R), Jun-jun Pintuan (USJ-R)

01:00PM Match #2: UC vs USC
Result: 2-4 in favor of USC
Scorers:
Renan Gustillo (USC) - 1st min., Kyle Soriano (USC) - 16th min., Patrick Philip (USC) - 34th min., Rodney Gandionco (UC) - 76th min., Eldon Ensumo (USC) - 84th min., Julius Jumao-as (UC) - 90th min.

Match Statistics: UC-USCShots: 20-10; Shots on Target: 14-8; Fouls: 12-17; Corner Kicks: 5-5; Free Kicks: 3-3; Off-sides: 4-2; Penalty: none; Yellow Cards: 1-2; Red Cards: none

Yellow Cards:Daryl Tan (UC), Melvin Elle (USC), Kyle Soriano (USC)

03:00PM Match #3: CDU vs USPF
Result: 0-6 in favor of USPF
Scorers:
Edmar Galacio (USPF) - 4th min., Joseph Rodriguez (USPF) - 7th, 14th mins., Rene Sanchez (USPF) - 48th, 74th mins., John Casayan (USPF) - 78th min.

Match Statistics: CDU-USPFShots: 7-23; Shots on Target: 3-11; Fouls: 4-6; Corner Kicks: 2-3; Free Kicks: 3-4; Off-sides: 1-10; Penalty Kicks: 0-1; Yellow Cards: none; Red Cards: none

OCTOBER 11, 2008 SATURDAY
11:00AM Match #4: CDU vs USC
Result: 0-3 default in favor of USC
Note: CDU showed up with only 6 players. Rules state that a minimum of 7 players in a team are required to start a game.

01:00PM Match #5: UC vs UV
Result: 1-1 draw
Scorers:
Ariel Repeso (UC) - 63rd min; Frederick Alazas (UV) - 84th min.

Match Statistics: UC-UVShots: 3-16; Shots on Target: 3-13; Fouls: 23-21; Corner Kicks: 0-8; Free Kicks: 21-22; Off-sides: 2-0; Yellow Cards: 1-5; Ball Possession: 30%-70%

Yellows Cards:Frederick Alazas (UV) - 42nd min; Junard Aguilar (UV) - 46th min; Josaphat Sacil (UV) - 75th min; Ariel Repeso (UC) - 75th min.

Red Card:Julius Acre (UV) - two yellow cards in 53rd & 88th mins.

03:00PM Match #6: USJ-R vs USPF
Result: 0-1 in favor of USPF
Scorers:
Rene Sanchez (USPF) - 76th min.

Match Statistics: USJR-USPF
Shots: 6-5; Shots on Target: 6-2; Fouls: 15-17; Corner Kicks: 9-3; Free Kicks: 17-14; Off-sides: 1-3; Yellow Cards: 1-1; Ball Possession: 40%-60%

Yellow Cards:Robert Mamac (USJ-R) - 38th min; Racen Siaton (USPF) - 58th min.

OCTOBER 18, 2008 SATURDAY
11:00AM Match #7: UC vs USPF
Result: 0-3 in favor of USPF
Scorers:
Rene Sanchez (USPF) - 37th, 76th mins; John Opigal (USPF) - 90th min.

Match Statistics: UC-USPFShots: 9-7; Shots on Target: 6-2; Fouls: 10-23; Corner Kicks: 0-1; Free Kicks: 22-8; Off-Sides: 7-2

Yellow Cards:Edmar Galacio (USPF) - 36th min; Vicente Sangcada (UC) - 42nd min; Joseph Rodriguez (USPF) - 47th min; Rene Sanchez (USPF) - 58th, 87th mins; Daryl Tan (UC) - 87th min;

01:00PM Match #8: USJ-R vs CDU
Result: 11-0 in favor of USJ-R
Scorers:
Patrick Gandionco (CDU) - 12th min own goal; Earl Yagao (USJ-R) - 25th, 71st mins; Adrianne Mejaran (USJ-R) - 26th, 31st mins; Robert Mamac (USJ-R) - 27th, 37th mins; Paul dela Victoria (USJ-R) - 50th min; Jonathan Jamili (USJ-R) - 55th min; Russel Layumas (USJ-R) - 79th min; Eduardo Buglosa (USJ-R) - 80th min.

Match Statistics: USJR-CDUShots: 18-1; Shots on Target: 15-1; Fouls: 4-2; Corner Kicks: 12-0; Free Kicks: 2-3; Off-Sides: 6-3

03:00PM Match #9: UV vs USC
Result: 1-1 draw
Scorers:
John Sulib (UV) - 14th min; Kyle Soriano (USC) - 25th min.

Match Statistics: UV-USCShots: 15-16; Shots on Target: 12-7; Corner Kicks: 3-4; Off-Sides: 5-5; Fouls: 17-17; Free Kicks: 14-17

Yellow Cards:Jomar Labastida (UV) - 47th min; Cliff Bacolod (USC) - 65th min; Joe Arriesgado (UV) - 78th min; Josaphat Sacil (UV) - 84th min.

OCTOBER 25, 2008 SATURDAY
09:00AM Match #10: USJ-R vs UC
Result: 2-2 draw
Scorers:
Paul dela Victoria (USJ-R) - 44th min; Robert Mamac (USJ-R) - 53rd min; Julius Jumao-as (UC) - 85th min; Rodney Gandionco (UC) - 88th min.

Match Statistics: USJR-UC
Shots: 20-13; Shots on Target: 14-7; Corner Kicks: 8-3; Off-Sides: 2-2; Fouls: 11-14; Free Kicks: 13-11; Ball Possession: 60%-40%

01:00PM Match #11: USPF vs USC
Result: 1-2 in favor of USC
Scorers:
Maurice Chebasa (USC) - 3rd min; Valentine Ragasajo (USPF) - 37th min; Kyle Soriano (USC) - 68th min.

Match Statistics: USPF-USCShots: 15-10; Shots on Target: 7-4; Corner Kicks: 0-2; Off-Sides: 4-10; Fouls: 23-16; Free Kicks: 14-21.

Yellow Cards:Bernard Rotich (USC) - 4th min; Maurice Chebasa (USC) - 11th min; Filemon Sabella (USPF) - 11th min; Edmar Galacio (USPF) - 29th min.

Red Card:Melvin Elle (USC) - 87th min.

03:00PM Match #12: UV vs CDU
Result: 3-0 in favor of UV
CDU defaulted its game. Only 5 players showed up. Minimum of 7 players to start a game as per FIFA rules.

NOVEMBER 8, 2008 SATURDAY
09:00AM Match #13: USPF vs UV
Result: 1-1 draw
Scorers:
Joedel Fuertes (UV) - 23rd min; John Opigal (USPF) - 44th min

Match Statistics: USPF-UV
Shots : 13-10; Shots on Target: 8-7; Corner Kicks: 8-2; Off-sides: 2-5; Fouls: 14-14; Free Kicks: 13-14; Ball Possession: 60%-40%

Yellow Card:
Jose Diao (UV) - 29th min.

01:00PM Match #14: USC vs USJ-R
Result: 0-2 in favor of USJ-R
Scorers:
Adrianne Mejaran (USJ-R) - 37th min; Paul dela Victoria (USJ-R) - 61st min

Match Statistics: USC-USJR
Shots: 6-10; Shots on Target: 5-7; Corner Kicks: 4-6; Off-sides: 2-7; Fouls: 15-14; Free Kicks: 18-14; Ball Possesion: 40%-60%

Yellow Card:
John Tirol (USC) - 15th min

03:00PM Match #15: UC vs CDU
Result: 16-0 in favor of UC
Scorers:
Rodney Gandionco (UC) - 3rd, 6th, 11th, 16th, 37th, 41st, 51st, 53rd, 56th, 67mins; Daryl Tan (UC) - 13th, 18th mins; Ariel Repeso (UC) - 21st, 79th mins; Sadam Samontanez (UC) - 49th, 72nd mins.

Match Statistics: UC-CDU
Shots: 16-2; Shots on Target: 10-1; Corner Kicks: 1-1; Off-sides: 4-1; Fouls: 4-2; Free Kicks: 2-4; Ball Possession: 90%-10%

SEMI-FINALS: NOVEMBER 15, 2008 SATURDAY
12:30PM Match #16 Semi-Finals No. 1: USC (Top 2) vs USJ-R (Top 3)
Result: 0-1 in favor of USJ-R
Scorers:
Adrianne Mejaran (USJ-R) - 62nd min

Match Statistics: USC-USJR
Shots: 10-18; Shots on Target: 4-10; Fouls: 12-15; Corner Kicks: 5-5; Free Kicks: 15-12; Off-sides: 6-5; Ball Possession: 40%-60%

Yellow Cards:
John Tirol (USC) - 13th min; Joel Villegas (USC) - 17th min; Melvin Elle (USC) - 58th min; Frank Cedullo (USJ-R) - 60th min; Paul dela Victoria (USJ-R) - 67th min; Sean Gacayan (USC) - 76th min; Nolie Enterio (USJ-R) - 83rd min;

02:30PM Match #17 Semi-Finals No. 2: USPF (Top 1) vs UV (Top 4)
Result: 0-1 in favor of UV
Scorer:
Melvin Lauron (UV) - 77th min.

Match Statistics: USPF vs UV
Shots: 12-11; Shots on Target: 8-4; Corner Kicks: 3-2; Off-sides: 3-3; Fouls: 19-11; Free Kicks: 11-18; Ball Possession: 40%-60%

Red Card:
Junard Aguilar (UV) - 54th min.

CHAMPIONSHIP: NOVEMBER 22, 2008 SATURDAY
12:30PM Match #18 3rd Place: USC (Loser SF No. 1) vs USPF (Loser SF No. 2)
Result: 0-0 draw (regulation time)
Result: 3-4 in favor of USPF (penalty shoot-out)
Scorers:
USPF - Joseph Rodriguez, Rene Sanchez, Valentine Ragasajo, Racen Siaton
USC - Joephus Bernaldez, Bernard Rotich, Patrick Uno

02:30PM Match #19 Finals: USJ-R (Winner SF No. 1) vs UV (Winner SF No. 2)
Result: 1-1 draw (regulation time)
Scorers:
Julius Acre (UV) - 21st min; Jonathan Jamili (USJ-R) - 74th min

Penalty Shoot-Out: 5-4 in favor of USJ-R
Scorers:
USJ-R - Torres, Mejaran, Luague, dela Victoria, Mamac
UV - Acre, Sacil, Lauron, Fuertes

Maxi Maximo
PaBolFC
Tournament Managers

Felix Tiukinhoy
Commissioner

JAGUARS GUN FOR REPEAT

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

Saturday, November 22, 2008 issue

by Edri K. Aznar, Staff Reporter

Mike T. Limpag, Sports Editor

THE defending champions University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and the undefeated University of the Visayas (UV) squad will be fighting for collegiate football supremacy as they battle for the coveted 2008 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) title in the championship match today at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Technological Center football grounds.

UV will be without their star striker Junard Aguilar after he was booked with a red card in their 1-0 win against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in the semifinals.

However, Coach Hever Buot of UV has earlier their bench players can make up for the void left by Aguilar.

On the other hand, USJ-R, which won the first four titles of the Cesafi, will also be missing defender and team captain Franco Cedullo. USJ-R's skipper will also be serving his suspension.

"We will focus on our defense for this game because our team will be without Franco. Our offense is already good.," USJ-R Head Coach Joselito Bono told Sun Star in an interview yesterday.

Even without Aguilar in the line-up for this game USJ-R will not let its guard down.

"Maybe they have a secret weapon to replace Aguilar," said Bono. "Maybe somebody will step up in his place so we must not be overconfident."

In the last meeting of both teams, the match ended in a scoreless draws.

USJ-R finished the elimination round with eight points from two wins, two draws and a loss, while UV closed the tournament with seven points from one win and four draws and was the only undefeated team in the tournament.

Meanwhile, USPF will be up against 2006 Cesafi football champion USC in their battle for third match.

In their previous encounter, USC handed USPF its first loss, edging the latter, 2-1.

In that win, the host team was led by ace striker Kyle Soriano and African winger Maurice Chebasa.

Both USPF and USC were at the top of the tournament rankings in the elimination matches but were ousted by the lower seeded teams, USJ-R and UV, in the semifinals last week by similar 1-0 scoreline.

The first game between USPF and USC will start 12:30 followed by the finals game of USJ-R and UV at 2:30 in the afternoon. EKA

USJ-R DEFENDS TITLE AGAINST UV THIS PM

Courtesy of The Freeman Newspaper (http://www.philstar.com/)

Saturday, November 22, 2008 issue

by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, Staff Writer
Manny Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU - Football fans should not miss this one - the championship battle between defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos and the University of the Visayas in the 2008 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Incorporated (CESAFI) tertiary football event at the University of San Carlos Technology Center in Talamban this city.

Games today

12:30pm - USC vs. USPF (for 3rd)
2:30pm - USJR vs.UV (championship game)

The final match was originally set at the Cebu City Sports Center, but organizers decided to finish the tournament on the same field where it started.

The match is a repeat of the 2005 championship encounter that saw UV take the crown.

Can the Green Booters repeat this year? Would the Kicking Jaguars come out victorious? These questions will be answered this afternoon.

The two squads enter the final after scraping through in the elimination round.

Two players would however be missing the action as they got booked in the semifinals and are sitting out the next game for getting red cards.

USJ-R will be without skipper Franco Cedullo while UV will miss the services of striker Melvin Aguilar.

Joselito ‘Babot’ Bono, coach of USJ-R said that while his team may have had a rather lethargic start, the Kicking Jaguars have peaked at the right time.

USJ-R has won two titles and had two bridesmaid finishes the past four years.

The void left by Cedullo would however be tough to fill-up and coach Bono hopes to see somebody step up and take the leadership chores in the field.

UV’s road to the final was not also well paved. The team had four draws in the elimination round and their only win was by default over Cebu Doctors’ University.

Things became rosy in the semifinals though as the Green Booters slipped past top qualified University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 1-0.

More than the title, this afternoon’s match is also a quest for redemption by UV, which was disqualified last year for fielding an ineligible player.

On the bright side, UV hasn’t been defeated this season and they hope to keep that slate clean.

Without Aguilar, UV team captain Frederick Alazas said, it’s going to be him or Marvin Lauron, who will have to move up as striker.

The Green Booters also hope to keep their noses clean in this final match and avoid cards that might decimate their line-up.

“We can’t afford to see any of our teammates out of the game anymore. We are composed of only three veterans today and the rest are new ones.

“Hopefully, the new ones can overcome anxiety and instead just enjoy the game and hopefully win,” Alazas said.

Before the USJ-R-UV final match, the two former leading squads who fell short in the semifinal, USPF and USC will battle for third. (THE FREEMAN)

CEBU TO HOST ASSC

Something to look forward to. And it will be in Cebu! School-based sports should be supported because in sports, we are dealing mostly with what we call the "student-athletes". This is in line with PaBolFC's philosophy of "PaBol thru Education, Education thru PaBol (PEEP)"

Maxi Maximo
PaBolFC

SUN STAR CEBU. Medina added that the group will assess what they have done for the grassroots in the past year and also talk about future hosting of competitions among these nations. The group’s focus is for athletes 18-years-old and under. The sports they are prioritizing are track and field, volleyball, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, golf, sepak takraw, net ball, badminton, football and hockey...

Read more @ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/cebu-host-assc

ESSENTIALS TO LIFE

As I woke up this morning, I realized that I should not regret any day of my life.
Good days give me happiness. Bad days give me experiences.
Both are essentials to life.

Happiness keeps me SWEET. Trials makes me STRONG.
Sorrows keep me HUMAN. Failures make me HUMBLE.
Success keeps me GROWING.

... and GOD keeps me GOING.

shared via SMS by: Rikki Samson, BCBP Cebu Central

UTAFA ROAD RACE ON DEC 7

THE FREEMAN. The UTAFA tilt is different from all other road running events because there will be mini-hurdles that will be placed in every 2.5 kilometers of the race course.

Read more @ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=416887

UV vs USJ-R COL PHOTO GALLERY #3