UC SALVAGES DRAW WITH GRITTY UV

UC scores late to save high-scoring draw against UV in Cesafi DBTC, USJ-R rout foes in opening matches of high school division Heavy downpour forces organizers to postpone USPF vs. USJ-R match

The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters held the University of Visayas (UV) Green Booters to a 3-3 draw in a rain-drenched clash in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s football tournament in the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) yesterday.

UC took the lead in the 17th minute after Ron Martin Tiampoing connected before UV, which last won the Cesafi title more than a decade ago, equalized in the 32nd minute courtesy of Kenneth Vargas.

A heavy downpour forced the organizers to pause the match for 45 minutes and when it resumed, UC took the lead again, thanks to a Harvy Dungog goal. However, the lead didn’t last long as Vargas scored his second goal for a 2-2 tie at the half.

From playing catch-up in the first, UV took the initiative in the second half with Robert Pacaña connecting from right flank in the 70th for a 3-2 lead. In the 12th, Rustom Seares salvaged a point for UC as he scored the equalizer from the left corner.

On the other hand, the heavy rain forced organizers to reschedule the men’s division’s game between the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Panthers.

Tournament director Francis Ramirez said the field is playable but the safety of the players would be compromised by the lack of traction.

In the secondary division, the USPF routed the USJ-R, 8-1, with Homer Alojacir completing a hat trick and Mc Dale Francis Uy and Joshua Lawrence Lubiano scoring two each. Cyprian Estopace had one, while Cleene Vincent Espinosa scored the lone goal for USJ-R.

Meanwhile, favorite Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) blanked the University of San Carlos-Basic Education, 4-0.

After a slow first half, DBTC poured the goals in the second half for the rout. John Clyde Vitualla opened the scoring in the 32nd minute for a 1-0 half-time lead, while Kenneth Sean Ace Niaga, Glen Thomas Ramos and Dustin Drey Ramirez all scored in the second half to complete the easy win.

The games will resume this Thursday with the University of San Carlos taking on USJ-R in the high school division and UC facing the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in the college division. /

SUNSTAR FOTO / ARNI ACLAO GOAL MOUTH SCRAMBLE. Defenders from the University of the Visayas protect their goal during a corner kick by the University of Cebu. The two teams drew, 3-3, in their debut in the college division of Cesafi.