USC outlasts UV, takes lead in Cesafi college football
The University of San Carlos (USC) took the lead in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) college football competition after outlasting erstwhile leader University of the Visayas (UV), 1-0, yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.
USC, the three-time defending champion, now has two wins from two games for six points, while UV dropped to second from first with four points on a win and a draw.
On the other hand, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USP-F) got its second straight point after another draw, this time with the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 1-1.
USC, which is trying to become the first team since the University of San Jose-Recoletos,to win four straight Cesafi football titles, took the initiative early thanks to Steven Patalinghug and Aldrich Pelenio.
Patalinghug was brought down in the penatly area in the sixth and Pelenio stepped up to convert the penalty. He could have added to it minutes later but UV keeper Kim Omus stopped his shot.
Miracle Segun also had a free header off a corner for UV but his shot sailed wide, while John Vargas forced the USC keeper to a diving save with his left-footer just inside the box.
Minutes later, Pelenio showed his deft ball control skills as he got past his defender, chest-trapping the ball and flicking it over his man, but his shot failed to get past the keeper.
It was Segun’s turn to show his skills moments later, getting past two defenders with his deft ball control but his looping shot was saved again.
The Warriors will gun for their third win against the struggling Jaguars—which won the first four Cesafi football titles from 2001 to 2004—on Wednesday, while USP-F will meet UV.
USPF had to fight back from 1-0 down against UC to force a 1-1 draw. /