Monday, November 24, 2008

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.

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