Don Bosco and USC booters scramble for the ball in their game in the 26th Cebu City Olympics at the Cebu City Sports Center (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).
AFTER struggling in the elimination round, University of San Carlos (USC) got their acts together when it mattered most as it nosed out University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F)in a thrilling title match and bagged the men’s crown of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) football tournament at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) football pitch yesterday.
USC iced its fourth title by surviving USPF in a nerve-wracking shootout, 7-6.
USC came into the championship match as an underdog after finishing the elimination round with two wins, a single loss and two draws.
USPF was the better team in the eliminations where it collected three wins, one loss and a single draw.
It was the two teams’ third meeting in the championship round, the last one was in 2014 where USC also prevailed.
Yesterday, the two teams figured in a tight contest with neither team failing to score after the regulation and two extensions.
USC’s goal keeper, Terrence Colmenares played the hero’s role when he thwarted the attempts of Emil Gumba and Mark Dave Ordiales in the shootout.
Colmenares went on to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP award).
Delivering the goalds for USC were Isherson Caseres, John Roy Melgo, Miguel Kwan, Jules Villahermosa, Yves Caballero, Mark Niñolas and Pomeroy Mark Veloso.
USPF scorers were George Laurence De Pablos, Heinzyll Destura, Cloyd Kevin Abare, James Acaso, Erickson Mama and Ares Duarte.
Kenneth Vargas of University of the Visayas (UV), meanwhile, was named the tournament’s best scorer, while the best defender accolade went to Abare.
Veloso won the best midfield award, while Micko Luzon of UV took home the best goal keeper accolade.