Cesafi football USPF holds on against UV, forges rematch with USC

 

The University of the Visayas (UV) had 55 days to map out a game plan on how to get back at last year’s runner-up University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) after being down 1-0 in the opening half of their game in the Cesafi football tournament last Sept. 21.

But the long break did little to help the Lancers’ cause, as the Kicking Panthers managed to hold off UV to settle for a 1-1 draw yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) and set up a second straight titular showdown with the University of San Carlos (USC).

The championship match between USC and USPF will be on November 25 still at the CCSC.

Despite the draw, the Kicking Panthers clinched the finals slot after finishing second in the standings with a 2-5-1 (win-draw-loss) card for 11 points just behind defending champion USC, which sports a 4-2-2 slate for 14 points. UV wound up third with a 2-3-3 record worth nine points.

The UV-USPF game was originally scheduled last September 21 but was suspended after the first half; as tournament director Francis Ramirez declared the pitch unplayable due to heavy rains.

Before the game was suspended, USPF’s Emil Gumba already scored a goal in the 41st minute to put the Kicking Panthers up 1-0.

The Lancers were bent on pulling off a shocker as they tied the game with a 54th minute goal by John Vargas.

But the Kicking Panthers tightened its defensive screws to prevent a collapse and seal another showdown with USC.

“We were not aggressive on the attacking knowing that we were leading,” said said Kicking Panthers head coach Eleazer Toledo. “But still we made it to the finals so in a way we were still successful.”

USPF is still searching for its first title in the Cesafi and for the Panthers to achieve that, Toledo said adjustments should be made when it goes up against USC.

“We will make some adjustments on our attacks. But we will come out strong against USC,” Toledo said.

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