USC TAKES OVER NO. 1 SPOT WITH 2-1 WIN

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

Sunday, October 26, 2008 issue

by Edri K. Aznar, Staff Reporter
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

IN a heated battle for the top spot of the collegiate division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. football competition, the 2006 champion University of San Carlos (USC) emerged victorious against the No.1 University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 2-1, yesterday at the USC-Technology Center football grounds.

USC wasted no time on the offensive end as Kenyan midfielder Maurice Chebasa scored an early goal in the third minute.

USPF battled ruggedly for control of the ball and it paid off when midfielder Valentine Ragasajo scored the first goal for his team with an accurate long shot that breezed past through the tight guard of USC goalkeeper Chris Escudero to tie the match at 1-1.

In the second half, striker Kyle Vincent Soriano capped his first goal of the match and his third of the season for the lead.

Soriano got through the defense after a well-timed through pass by Mark Anthony Plando for an uncontested shot at pointblank range.

USC controlled the midfield battle in the second half with the leadership of Melvin Elle.

Unfortunately Elle was kicked out in the waning minutes after being getting a red card for a devastating tackle on Edmar Galacio.

Elle will be out in USC’s final elimination match against the defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos.

However, USC Coach Gary Panagsagan, is not bothered by the loss of Elle.

“It’s okay because we still have a lot of talented bench players who will take over his role,” said Panagsagan in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.

USC is mostly composed of young players and they have three Kenyan players to further solidify their roster.

Panagsagan said that his players are very hungry for another championship crown and that is the reason that they emerged victorious for the top spot.

“Our team really wanted to get the No.1 spot that’s why they worked so hard to win this game,” told Panagsagan.

USC now has 10 points in four games, while USPF is at second with nine points after suffering its first loss.

Meanwhile, USJ-R and University of Cebu ended in a 2-2 shutout.