USC BOOTERS RECOVER

Published in Sun Star Cebu Newspaper on Oct. 27, 2010 Wed issue
by Marian Baring & Edri Aznar, Staff Writers
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

AFTER losing its opener to De La Salle University (DLSU), the University of San Carlos (USC) bounced back impressively by beating hometown team Silliman University (SU), 5-0, in the 2010 University Games in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Rosetone Barinan fueled the offense of USC and finished a goal shy of a hat-trick following a scoreless performance by USC against DLSU, 7-0.

Nica Trebol scored the first goal of USC in the match and in the tournament, in the 13th minute.

Kim Arcenas added another in the 44th to end the first half of action with a 2-0 advantage.

The halftime break didn’t cool off the sizzling offensive onslaught by USC as Barinan scored back-to-back goals in the 50th and 55th minutes.

Loi Mejias added the icing on the cake with a strike in the 74th.

With the victory, USC has a huge probability of reaching the semi-finals if it defeats Xavier University (XU) today, because the latter drew with SU, 0-0, last Monday.

DLSU is at the top of Group A with three points from an unbeaten slate, trailed by USC also with three from a win and a loss. XU and SU sit at the bottom with a point each... Read more

LIMPAG: THE HEART OF A CHAMPION

Published in Sun Star Cebu Newspaper on Oct. 23, 2010 Saturday issue
by Mike Limpag, Columnist - Fair Play & Sports Editor

A FEW weeks ago, you’d be crazy to pick UC as this year’s football champion in the Cesafi.

The team that perennially fails to make the semifinal round barely qualified with one win and three losses, its lone victory coming against UV in the first day of the elimination round.

After three straight losses, including 3-2, against USPF in week 5, UC made the semis at No. 4, and was to face No. 1 USPF.

While everyone was expecting USPF to face USJ-R in the finals, Coach Glenn Ramos thought otherwise, telling his boys that it doesn’t matter if they’re No. 4 against No. 1.

It’s the semifinals and in football, everyone is on level terms in the knockout stages.

Against the grizzled veterans of USJ-R, coach Glen knew his team couldn’t take the initiative in the offense end as it would only open up its defense to the vaunted scoring machines of USJ-R.

It’s not a beautiful tactic, but it works.

One player showed his displeasure against UC’s style in the chatbox of pabolfc.com, “Amo tanan atake, pero kami pa jud pildi.”

But unless UC went Netherlands in that final, I don’t think it deserves to be criticized for following that strategy, beautiful football be damned.

It merely shows how smart Coach Glenn is by acknowledging his team’s strengths and using these against the other’s weakness.

It shows UC can follow a strategy to the hilt.

The team, because of how it won the title, was bashed and was told, by an anonymous poster in the pabolfc.com chat box, to forget about representing Cebu in the Prisaa regionals.

UC the champion should forget about listening to sour-graping folks like that.

Besides, here’s a thing with chatboxes and Internet posters: without anonymity, they’re never brave enough to stand by what they say.

I used to have a chatbox once and when people started posting venomous accusations to sully the names of good folks, I asked—nay—ordered everyone to use their real names.

Guess what? Nobody found the courage to say anything.

Jonathan Maximo, who maintains Pabolfc.com, was wise enough to warn people to keep the comments clean.

Some may be apprehensive about UC representing Cebu in the Prisaa but not me.

It takes a really good team to win the Cesafi football title.

And to win the Cesafi football title with a rookie-laden team?

A champion team can't do that, only the team with the heart of a champion.

Go UC!

SCHEDULING CLASH. I learned from Rico Navarro’s column the other week that it wasn’t only the Cebu City-based teams that had problems with the scheduling conflicts between the Cesafi and the DepEd meets.

Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, a powerhouse in athletics, football and basketball, had to skip the Mandaue City meet since the schedule clashed with the Cesafi.

But that it went unreported doesn’t mean it’s not also a bad thing.

I know the Cesafi is trying to avoid such conflicts next year, so I guess it’s time for a compromise.

These conflicts often hit the high school teams because of the City meets, which is the first of a series of competitions that will identify players for the Palarong Pambansa.

These meets are usually held late September or early October, so as a compromise, perhaps Cesafi should ensure that their games—at least in the high school level—are over early September? Or if not, give way to the City meets? These often last for only three to four days.

Just a suggestion.

USC WOMEN BOOTERS VIE IN UNIGAMES

Published in Cebu Daily Newspaper on Oct. 23, 2010 Saturday issue
by Mars G. Alison, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

THE ONLY WOMEN'S collegiate football team in Cebu City, University of San Carlos (USC), will be heading to Dumaguete City to see action in the 15th Philippine University Games (UNIGAMES), which opens tomorrow and at the Silliman University campus.

Lamenting the lack of women's collegiate football tournament here in Cebu City, the USC girls football team will be seeing action against some of the best girls collegiate teams in the country.

The UNIGAMES is a national collegiate sports competition which started in 1996 at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City.

It is participated by varsity athletes from private and government universities from all over the Philippines.

It features 12 sports disciplines namely athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball and beach volleyball.

With USC women's football team's initiative, CESAFI football tournament director Jonathan "Maxi" Maximo hopes other colleges and universities will follow suit and put up their own women's football team.

Maximo would have put up a women's division in the recently-concluded 2010 CESAFI Football Championships upon the approval of CESAFI commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy. However, the division fizzled out as only USC had a women's football team.

The team is comprised of goalkeeper Ceilo Perez; defenders Maritoni Trebol, Grace Carreon, Mitchella Muller, Joyce Maw, Kizza Fransisco, Milanei Bordalba, Keizha Muller, Allen Yap; midfielders Roseton Barinan, Monica Trebol, Sam Su, Renee Songalia, Angeli Ruete, Maricris Terado; and forwards Kim Arcenas and Alili Loi. It will be coached by Garry Panagsagan./CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON

USC WOMEN'S FOOTBALL TEAM JOINS UNIVERSITY GAMES

Published in Sun Star Cebu Newspaper on Oct. 23, 2010 Saturday issue
by Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

CEBU’s only women’s collegiate football team will try their luck in the University Games in Dumaguete City this weekend.

The University of San Carlos, the only school that keeps a women’s football team, will be competing with some of the best squads in the country in the annual invitational meet.

The Unigames is the only school-based 11-a-side tournament the USC women’s team gets to compete in as it usually joins football festivals; since the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. can organize a competition for them.

Former Cebu Football Association president Jonathan Maximo, who helped run the Cesafi football competition, said he was asked by a female player why there was no women’s competition in the Cesafi.

He forwarded the concern to Cesafi Commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy who said the Cesafi is willing to organize a women’s competition if there will be at least four teams.

“Even if we reduce the minimum number from four to two teams, we still cannot jumpstart a league for them. Wala man lain kontra ang USC,” Maximo said in an e-mail to Sun.Star Cebu.

Though USC is shouldering the team’s trip to Dumaguete, the players decided to hold a fun run last Oct. 17 to help raise funds for their trip.

“I hope the perseverance of the USC team to go out and compete will encourage other universities to put up their own teams. Then, maybe, we can start planning for a women’s league in the future,” Maximo said.

The team, coached by Gary Panagsagan, is composed of goalkeeper Ceilo Perez, defenders Maritoni Terbol, Grace Carreon, Mitchella Muller, Joyce Maw, Kizza Francisco, Melanie Bordalba, Keizha Muller, Allen Yap, Maricrics Terdao and forwards Kim Arcenas and Alili Loi.

UC MISAKMIT SA CESAFI COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL TITLE

Published in Banat Newspaper on Oct. 19, 2010 Tuesday issue
by Yoyo Abayan, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - Gipilde sa University of Cebu (UC) ang University of San Jose-Recoletos, 1-0 aron sakmiton ang collegiate football championship sa 2010 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) niadtong Domingo diha sa University of San Carlos-Technological Center field sa Brgy. Talamban, ning siyudad.

Ang UC nga taman sa ginhawa nga misulod sa semifinal round maoy nidominar sa duwa ug tungod sa ilang kaagresibo napugngan nila ang labok sa defending champion USJ-R.

Si Kit Arguelles maoy naka-goal sa 73rd alang sa kadaugan sa UC. (BANATSPORTS)

UC STUNS USJ-R, 1-0

Published in Sun Star Cebu Newspaper on Oct. 18, 2010 Monday issue
by Edri K. Aznar, Staff Writer
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

THE University of Cebu completed a Cinderella run as it captured its first crown in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. collegiate football tournament yesterday, dethroning defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos, 1-0, at the drenched University of San Carlos-Technology Center pitch.

From being one of the worst teams in the tournament, UC, which finished the eliminations with three points, won its first title in its first attempt. In previous years, UC was always the first to be eliminated.

“I do believe that it was the preparation and discipline of the boys,” UC head coach Glenn Ramos said of his squad of mostly rookies that defeated the more talented and experienced USJ-R team. “In the last two weeks, before the semis, we really worked hard and prepared. I told them the semis are different than the eliminations, when we finished fourth.”

Right winger Kieth Jireh Arguilles scored the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute. Arguilles was in the right time at the right moment as the ball went to him after a chip shot passed through the hands of USJ-R goalkeeper Joel Cahilog, who dove into the mud for the ball.

After the goal, USJ-R got aggressive but UC’s defense and the superb goalkeeping

skills of Michael Fernandez saved UC.

“Our game plan was to focus on defense and to counterattack,” said Ramos, whose been coaching UC for over five years.

Both teams had a hard time controlling the ball because of the wet and muddy pitch, but Ramos said UC came equipped for the worst weather conditions.

“We practiced last Tuesday and Thursday under the rain. The boys really prepared for a weather like this,” he said.

Meanwhile, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) bagged third place over University of San Carlos (USC), 2-1, avenging a 3-0 loss in the elimination round.

USPF’s Joseph Rodriguez quickly made his presence felt with a shot in the fifth minute before USC got on board with Bernard Rotich’s goal in the 71st.

However, USC’s surge was short-lived as Rodriguez scored the winning goal in the waning seconds of the match.

UNIVERSITY OF CEBU BAGS CESAFI COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL CROWN

 Published in The Freeman Newspaper on Oct. 18, 2010 Monday issue

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

CEBU, Philippines – The University of Cebu (UC) beat the University of San Jose-Recoletos, 1-0, to clinch the collegiate football championship of the 2010 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center field in Brgy.Talamban, this city.

UC, which hardly entered into the semifinal round, was totally a superior team in the final.Thanks to their preparations on a muddy field prior to the final battle that made them well-equipped in the face of heavy downpour.

USJ-R, the defending champion and the most-decorated squad in the CESAFI, was melted by the aggressive UC squad.

Scoreless in the initial half, UC found an added boost to play aggressively with its goalie Michael Niño Fernandez saving all attempts by the Kicking Jaguars made.

Then on the 73rd, Kit Arguelles hit UC's winning goal.

"I do believe in preparations and discipline.I told my boys that even we are no.4, we can be in the finals.The semifinal is different and so is the championship.It feels so great to win the championship after basketball, nasundan namo sa football," coach Glenn Ramos said. (FREEMAN)

UC DOES IT AGAIN

Published in Cebu Daily Newspaper on Oct. 18, 2010 Monday issue
by Mars G. Alison, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

After winning hoop crown for the first time, Webmasters bag first football title

The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters completed its historic run in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) this year by clinching their first-ever football collegiate title yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC) in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

The Webmasters' victory couldn't have been more sweeter after they wrested the title with a 1-0 squeaker over seven-time defending champions University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in a rain-marred titular match.

Other schools who have held the CESAFI football collegiate title in its 10-year history were the University of the Visayas (UV) and USC.

The win also served as some sort of redemption for UC coach Glen Ramos, who is also the coach of Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) in the secondary division. It would also have been history in the making for Ramos if DBTC had not gotten into a conflict of schedule as the team had a good chance of snatching what would have been its ninth title in the tournament.

“I am enjoying it,” said Ramos, when asked how he feels about having given UC its first football title. Ramos has been coaching the UC football team for about five years now.

UC’s win could also be credited to goalkeeper Michael Nino Fernandez, who accounted for seven saves in the second half alone, leading the team’s impressive defensive stance.

Scoring UC’s lone goal was Keith Arguilles (73rd minute). Before taking to the pitch yesterday afternoon, the Webmasters attended Mass at the Sto. Rosario Parish church in the morning.

Ramos' last piece of advice to his team was to remind them that they are going up against veterans so they should let them have the pressure.

“Pressure and support, counter-attack and strengthened defense, that was our game plan,” Ramos said.

In the fight for third, elimination leader University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) defeated USC, 2-1.

Joseph Rodriguez took the scoring cudgels for USPF in the 5th and 89th minutes while USC's lone goal was scored by Bernard Rotich in the 71st minute.

SHS-ATENEO CLINCHES SECONDARY FOOTBALL CROWN

Published in The Freeman Newspaper on Oct. 17, 2010 Sunday issue
by Manny V. Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu hammered the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), 5-1, to clinch the secondary division championship of the 2010 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) football event yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC) field in Brgy. Talamban, this city.

The USJ-R booters broke the ice of the match courtesy of Emmarson Resmeros at the 16th, but that proved to be their only bright moment as Sacred Heart- Ateneo responded with back-to-back goals from Wilfred Villaver and Peter Pena at the 17th and 25th to take a 2-1 edge at halftime.

Vinson Nery continued Sacred Heart-Ateneo's blistering offensive with a goal at the 64th before Keefee Yap and Pomeroy Luke Veloso joined the onslaught at the 72nd and 76th to seal the deal for the charging Ateneans. (FREEMAN NEWS)

SHS-ADC WINS CESAFI

Published in Sun Star Cebu Newspaper on Oct. 17, 2010 Sunday issue
by Edri K. Aznar, Correspondent
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

SACRED Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) won the high school division crown of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) football tournament following a lopsided championship match against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technology Center pitch.

After getting a goal down early, SHS-AdC stamped its dominance with a convincing 5-1 rout over USJ-R.

Emmarson Resmeros scored in the 16th minute for an early 1-0 advantage by USJ-R. However, USJ-R’s celebration was short-lived as Wilfred Villaver scored the equalizer a minute later.

SHS-AdC took over the lead in the 25th with a goal by Peter Peña.

From then on, it was an all-SHS-AdC show as it scored three more goals in the second half.

Vinson Nery hit the back of the net in the 65th minute. Keefee Yap added another seven minutes later, while Pomeroy Luke Veloso sealed the match with a goal in the 76th.

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation was automatically awarded third place because Cesafi slapped Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) with a suspension after missing its semi-final match with USJ-R last Saturday.

Had SHS-AdC faced DBTC in the final, it would have been a different story as the Bosconians beat Sacred Heart, 4-1, in the elimination round.

But because of the forfeit, DBTC, the top team in the Cesafi, finished fourth.

Meanwhile, the championship match of the collegiate division will be played today at 2:30 still at USC-TC with USJ-R defending its crown against underdog University of Cebu.

Shocking semis

USJ-R and UC finished at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, in the eliminations but managed to shock the top teams in the semis.

USJ-R blanked USC, 5-0, while UC shocked USPF, 4-3, in extra time.

During their first meeting in the elimination stage, the Jaguars routed UC, which is led by coach Glenn Ramos, 3-0.

USJ-R is gunning for its third straight Cesafi crown, while UC, which advanced to the finals for the first time, is looking for its first title.

The winner of the championship match will represent Cebu in the 2011 Private Schools Athletic Association regional tournament.

USC and USPF will battle for third place at 12:30 p.m. USC beat USPF, 3-0, in the first game of the elimination round.

SHS-ADC CLAIMS SECONDARY TITLE

Published in Cebu Daily Newspaper on Oct. 17, 2010 Sunday issue
by Mars G. Alison, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) clinched the title of the 10th CESAFI High School Football Championships after beating the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 5-1, yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC) in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

It was a fitting finish for the Magis Eagles, who are playing only on their second year in the tournament. Last year they finished second after losing to the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC).

SHS-AdC coach Vincent Ramos said they still did not expect to grab the crown because they had to halt practice in lieu of the players' second quarter academic examinations.

The Magis Eagles had a good run in the eliminations dropping only one match, this against the Greywolves. Ramos admitted DBTC, who is coached by his younger brother Glen Ramos, was their toughest opponent in the tournament.

Despite defeating the Jaguars, 6-0, in their first meeting during the eliminations, the Eagles did not take their finals match-up lightly.

And they were right in doing so as the Jaguars were not keen on wasting a finals ticket offered to them on a silver platter.

It was USJ-R who first found a hole in the SHS-AdC's defense with a goal by Emmarson Vincent Resmeros in the 16th minute.

However, even before the Jaguars could finish cheering, the Magis Eagles answered with a goal of their own a minute later courtesy of Wilfred Villaver.

A goal made in the 25th minute by Peter Pena gave the Magis Eagles a 2-1 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Jaguars started to show their desperation with a yellow card on Mark Espiritu resulting to a free kick, which Winson Nery converted for the Magis Eagles' third goal.

A lapse in the Jaguars' defense in the 72nd minute allowed Keefee Yap a clear sight of the goal that further padded SHS-AdC's lead to 4-1.

The game was finished off with a penalty kick goal by SHS-AdC's Pomeroy Luke Veloso.

COLLEGIATE FINALS

Today, it will be University of Cebu's (UC) turn to go for history in the collegiate football tournament as it faces defending champions USJ-R.

Clearly the underdogs in an event which the Webmasters are never known for, the boys of Glen Ramos will take to the pitch with patience in their game and hope in their hearts.

UC clinched a finals ticket by defeating elimination leader University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 4-3, in extension.

USPF is left vying for third place in today's first match against USC.

CESAFI SECONDARY FOOTBALL FINALS ON

Published in Cebu Daily Newspaper on Oct. 16, 2010 Saturday issue
by Mars G. Alison, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

HAVING won only a single elimination match, the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars certainly did not expect to find themselves facing the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) in today's titular battle of the 10th CESAFI High School Football Championship at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

But by some bizarre twist of fate, the Jaguars advanced to the finals without sweat after defending champions Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) got caught in a conflict of schedule and failed to show up in their semifinal match.

Although its opponent, the SHS-AdC, also bagged the other finals ticket easily with a 6-1 rout of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), the team still labored through an almost 2-hour match.

Statistically, the odds are against the Jaguars. This is because they will go up against a team that has won three of its four elimination assignments and suffered its only loss at the hands of the Greywolves.

USJ-R could only account for a single goal and conceding 20, having lost to USPF, 4-0, SHS-AdC, 6-0, and DBTC, 10-1. It's lone goal came from its win against the USC-NC, which dropped all of its elimination matches. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON

UC SHOOTS FOR FIRST CESAFI TERTIARY FOOTBALL CROWN SUNDAY

Published in Cebu Daily Newspaper on Oct. 15, 2010 Friday issue
by Mars G. Alison, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

THE University of Cebu (UC) can't seem to get enough of making CESAFI history as it guns for its first ever collegiate football title against defending champions University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) this Sunday at the University of San Carlos Technological Center (USC-TC) field in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

After clinching its collegiate basketball title against 9-time champion University of the Visayas (UV) last Tuesday, and notching their 10th straight titles in table tennis and athletics, the Webmasters this time channel their energy to football.

The team is coached by Glen Ramos.

UC is a powerhouse in athletics, basketball, swimming and table tennis but never in football.

So it was a huge surprise when the team which only won one of its four elimination assignments, conceding eight goals and managing to score only three advanced to the finals.

UC did it by squeaking past elimination round leader University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 4-3, in a match which required a 20-minute extension after it ended in a 2-all draw in regulation.

For the longest time in CESAFI football history, the Webmasters have permanently fallen at the bottom rung.

Bernard Ricablanca, UC athletic director, said they hope for the best for their football team but that they are not in a hurry, mindful that they will go up against the defending champions.

“Just like in basketball, we waited for nine years. There is a timing for everything but we will always hope for the best,” Ricablanca said.

Known in the tournament as the “best dressed” team, the UC booters – should they beat the Kicking Jaguars this Sunday – might as well end up as the best performing team in Cesafi football.

SHS FACES USJ-R FOR CESAFI TITLE

Published in Sun Star Cebu Newspaper on Oct. 15, 2010 Friday issue
by Edri K. Aznar, Staff Writer
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

SACRED Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) will take on the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) high school football championship match tomorrow at the University of San Carlos-Technology Center.

SHS-AdC is looking to finish its stellar season with the Cesafi high school football crown after an unfortunate exit by defending champion Don Bosco College (DBC) last week.

SHS-AdC finished second squad in the tournament with nine points, next to DBC, who handed SHS-AdC its only loss in the competition.

DBC routed SHS-AdC, 4-1, in in the elimination round.

USJ-R, on the other hand, had the second-worst record with three points from its lone 1-0 win over winless University of San Carlos-North Campus.

In the two teams’ last meeting, SHS-AdC whipped, USJ-R, 6-0.

The championship match will be at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.

In the meantime, University of Southern Philippines Foundation automatically bagged third place honors and won’t be playing its battle for third place match this Saturday because of a suspension given by Cesafi to DBTC.

DBTC was suspended for not showing up in its last semifinal match against USJ-R last week.

SHS-AdC, USJ-R MAKE FINALS

Published in Cebu Daily Newspaper on Oct. 11, 2010 Monday issue
by Mars G. Alison, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

Sacred Heart School-Atene de Cebu (SHS-AdC) arranged a finals match against the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) after dismissing their semifinals opponents in contrasting fashion yesterday at the 10th CESAFI High School Football Championship at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC) in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

Booters of the SHS-AdC showed their determination in clinching this year's title with a 6-1 win against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF).

The Jaguars, on the other hand, had an easy cruise to the finals after defending champions Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) forfeited their game.

Starting the scoring spree for SHS-AdC was Cheyun Hwang, who cut a hole through the Panthers' defense to find the back of the net just four minutes into the match. He then followed it up with another goal eight minutes later.

Other scorers for SHS-AdC were Kyle Arrieta (32nd), Peter Pena (53rd), Wilfred Villaver (65th) and Keefee Yap (75th).

USPF's lone goal was scored by Christian Millebo.

The Jaguars, on the other hand, certainly did not expect to find themselves advancing to the finals in such an easy manner.

The Greywolves had led the eliminations by not dropping any of its games including a 10-0 routing of the Jaguars.

 

In the collegiate division, the semifinals begin today with USC going up against defending champion USJ-R while USPF plays against UC in the other pairing.

UC SURPRISES USPF IN FOOTBALL SEMIS

Published in Sun Star Cebu Newspaper on Oct. 11, 2010 Monday issue
by Edri K. Aznar, Staff Writer
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

IT wasn’t until the extra time that Christian Vasquez was called upon by University of Cebu (UC) head coach Glenn Ramos to replace an exhausted teammate stricken by cramps.

That proved to be the game-changer.

Even with just a little time left, Vasquez made the biggest impact of all the UC players as he scored a magnificent winning goal to oust top-seed University Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 4-3, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. football tournament yesterday at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Technology Center football pitch.

Vasquez scored a difficult long shot from 25 meters in the 15th minute of extra time to give UC its first ever trip to the Cesafi finals.

“He had fresh legs and I counted on him to step it up,” an ecstatic Ramos told Sun.Star Cebu.

Neri Mole Jr. drew first blood with a goal in the 36th minute. Miko Joseph Limalima increased the lead to 2-0 after scoring a penalty kick that was awarded from a handball USPF defender in the penalty box.

The game was interrupted in the second half after a UC fan had an exchange of words with one of the linesmen.

After the game resumed, Aljohn Armamento hit the back of the net in the 63rd minute from a penalty shot that was given also due to a handball from a UC player. Carlo Zaballero scored the equalizer four minutes after.

UC took the lead again with a shot by Axiel Parel in the 87th minute to make it 3-2.

As UC thought they already bagged the match, Joseph Rodriguez scored an equalizer in the second minute of added time to send the match into extra period.

“I motivated my players and told them that once we enter the semis it will be different,” said Ramos, who urged his team to play hard because all the teams are on equal footing in the semi-final round. “Our motivation was we practiced hard, prepared well and we are disciplined. We work hard.”

In the other semifinal match, defending champions University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) beat USC, 5-0.

Both Junjun Pintuan and Agapito Baclaan shared the offensive load for USJ-R with two goals each while Adrianne Mejaran added a goal.

UC, who will be having its first trip to the finals, is taking on USJ-R in the championship match next week while USPF faces USC for third place.

Ramos believes that USJ-R is a daunting foe because most of its core players from last year’s championship squad is still intact while his squad are mostly composed of first timers in the Cesafi tournament.

“We will improve our defense and our attacking but most especially our endurance so that we will last the whole 90 minutes,” said Ramos.

USJ-R VS UC IN CESAFI FOOTBALL FINAL

Published in The Freeman Newspaper on Oct. 11, 2010 Monday issue
by Manny Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and University of Cebu (UC) defeated separate foes in contrasting fashion to arrange a title duel in the collegiate division of the 10th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) football tournament yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC) field in Brgy. Talamban, this city.

USJ-R scored a 5-0 whitewash of USC, while UC eked out a 4-3 victory over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF).

Junjun Pintuan broke the ice of the match at the 4th before Adrianne Mejaran found the back of the net at the 13th to give USJ-R a 2-0 cushion at halftime.

As USC stayed on deep offensive slumber, Pintuan sustained USJ-R sizzling run with a goal at the 51st. Agapito Baclaan then sneaked in back-to-back goals at the 69th and 86th to seal the Spiking Jaguars' masterful rout of the Carolinians.

On the other hand, among the goal scorers for UC were Neri Mole, Jr., Miko Joseph Limalima, Axiel Parel and Christian Vasquez. (FREEMAN)

TOUGH CHOICE TO MAKE

Published in Sun Star Cebu Newspaper on Oct. 10, 2010 Sunday issue
by Marian C. Baring & Edri K. Aznar, Staff Writers
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

DON Bosco College (DBC) won and lost big time yesterday in two of Cebu’s biggest sports meets.

After years of futility, DBC, representing Unit 1, finally wrested the secondary football title of the 20th Cebu City Olympics after a 2-0 win over Abellana National School of Unit 9 at the Cebu City Sports Center football field.

The victory was sweet as DBC coach Glen Ramos couldn’t even recall the last time his school won in the Cebu City Olympics football, which has been the forte of rivals ANS and Paref Springdale.

However, this came at a huge expense. For playing in the finals of the city meet, they had to sacrifice their Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) semifinal match, jeopardizing any chance of defending its title.

DBC was undefeated in five games in the Cesafi and was hands down the favorite, having scored 42 goals and allowed only two in the elimination round.

But that came to naught as DBC lost by forfeit to the University of San Jose-Recoletos, a team the Bosconians beat 10-0 in the elimination.

In the other Cesafi semis match yesterday, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu beat the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, 6-1.

DBC’s forfeit courted the ire of Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, who had earlier barred two basketball teams from playing in the semifinals of the Cebu City Olympics because they were still playing in the Cesafi.

Suspension

“This could merit a suspension for the next season. This is what I have been trying to prevent, that is why we did not allow the basketball teams to play their semifinals in the Cebu City Olympics. They need to explain themselves, otherwise, they will be suspended,” said Tiukinhoy.

In their defense, DBC head coach Glen Ramos said missing out on their semifinals was not intentional.

“We did not forfeit our game on purpose. It was a matter of conflict in the schedule. We have worked hard the entire season and we want nothing more than to defend our title,” said Ramos.

Ramos added the original plan was for the team to stay for the first half of the city meet final. After that, seven players will run to the University of San Carlos football field just so they will not forfeit their Cesafi match.

Ramos added their game in the City Olympics started a bit late, and had they pushed through with their original plan, the seven players would have been late for the Cesafi game.

The Bosconians’ match at the CCSC also got crucial as ANS held them scoreless. They only scored in the extension time behind Miguel Caindic and Froilan Thomason.

DBC’s win, which earned 25 points, was not enough to lift Unit 1 from the bottom of the standing. It remains at eighth place with 32 points.

However, despite losing, ANS’s 10 points padded Unit 9’s hold of the top spot in the secondary division standing with 131.5 points. Unit 5 is at second with 120, while Unit 8 is at third with 91.

In the elementary division, Paref-Springdale pushed Unit 6 to the top of the standing after winning the football final, 4-2, over Don Bosco College.

Unit 6 is now on top of with 121 points, while Unit 8 was relegated to second place with 115. Unit 1 is at third place with 97 points. (With EKA)

SHS-ATENEO INTO CESAFI FOOTBALL FINALS

Published in The Freeman Newspaper on Oct. 10, 2010 Sunday issue
by Manny Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - After achieving a ground-breaking feat in basketball, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu reached another milestone, this time in football as its spirited booters advanced into the final round of the 2010 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) secondary football event yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC) field in Brgy. Talamban, this city.

SHS-Ateneo clobbered the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 6-1, to set up a championship showdown with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), which won by default over a no-show Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC).

Cheyun Hwang ignited SHS-Ateneo’s blistering attack from the onset with back-to-back goals at the 4th and 12th. Kyle Arrieta followed suit in the 32nd to give the Ateneans a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.

Peter Pena continued SHS-Ateneo’s relentless offensive by punching in a goal at the 53rd. Wilfred Villaver later made his contribution at the 65th before Keefee Yap sealed the deal for SHS-Ateneo at the 75th.

Interestingly, Pena, Villaver and Yap are currently running third in the race for the league’s top goal scorer with six goals each, while Arrieta and Hwang are at fourth with four apiece, so far.

Christian Millebo was USPF’s lone goal scorer. (FREEMAN)

CESAFI SECONDARY FOOTBALL SEMIFINALS ON

Published in Cebu Daily Newspaper on Oct. 9, 2010 Saturday issue
by Mars G. Alison, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

IT WILL BE a do or die match today for the four semifinalists of the 10th CESAFI High School Football Championship at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC) in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

Defending champions Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) tries to inch closer to retaining its title as it faces the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R). The other finals ticket will be contested by Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF).

The Greywolves, who topped the eliminations by winning all four of its assignments, blanked USJ-R, 10-0, in its last elimination game.

The Jaguars advanced to the semifinals on the strength of its single eliminations win against USC-North Campus.

DBTC never looked challenged enroute to the semifinals after posting a commanding 18-0 win against USC-NC in its opening match, followed with a 4-1 edging of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) and 10-1 rout of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) before blanking the Jaguars.

SHS-AdC finished the elimination round with three wins. Its only lose came at the hands of DBTC.

USPF, on the other hand, managed to finish the round at third place with six points after winning against the Jaguars, 4-0, and the Warriors, 5-0.

 

In the top goal scorer contest, DBTC's Junjay Arizabal has equaled the nine goals made by his teammate Miguel Caindec after scoring a hat-trick in DBTC's final assignment last weekend. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON