Simon Patagan of UC steals the ball from John Dexter Espiritu (11) of USC. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
Despite not being able to get enough practice, the University of San Carlos (USC) managed to pull off a 1-0 victory over the University of Cebu (UC) yesterday in the semifinals of the Cesafi tertiary football tournament at the Cebu City Sports Complex.
The win pushed USC into the championship round, where it will face the winner between defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and the top-seeded University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F).
USJ-R and USP-F’s semifinal game yesterday was cancelled due to bad weather and will be played at 10 a.m. today at the same venue.
“I am very proud of the boys because we are all frustrated that we don’t have our own playing field,” USC head coach Mario Ceniza said. “The field in the Talamban campus of USC is undergoing renovation so we did not practice enough for the semifinals. But thank God, we were able to deliver.”
Ceniza took over USC’s football team this year and so far, his system is working well for the squad.
“I just hope this will continue until the championship match,” Ceniza said.
Anthony Arizabal was responsible for the lone goal for USC in the 20th minute.
DBTC VS SHS-ADC
Meanwhile, secondary division defending champion Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) defeated USC-Basic Education Dept., 12-0, in their semis encounter.
DBTC will face Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) anew in the championship match, scheduled today at 8 a.m.
SHS-AdC escaped USP-F via a penalty shoot out, 1-1 (6-4), in their semis matchup.
DBTC’s scorers were Christian Ouano (52nd, 54th and 64th), Agustin Roa (11th and 34th), Eric Lovitos (16th), Kenry Balobo (23rd), Joseph Rena (35th), Mark Unabia (37th), Enrich Orale (40th), John Clyde Vitualla (27th and 42nd) and Salazar (71st).
Ivan Palmero could have shoved USP-F to its first appearance in the juniors championships but Kintaro Miyagi of SHS-AdC scored an equalizer at the 71st minute to force the thrilling shootout.
The Magis Eagles will have a chance at redemption as they face the same DBTC squad they lost to in last year’s championship match.