USJ-R, ATENEO CLASH FOR CESAFI CROWN
Undefeated SHS-Ateneo de Cebu take on first-time finalist USJ-R in Cesafi high school finals
The University of San Jose-Recoletos will gun for its first secondary football crown when it takes on undefeated Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. final at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The 10 a.m game comes almost two weeks after the two sides chalked up hard-earned wins in the semifinals. USJ-R, playing on the defensive for most of the first half, defeated multi-time champion Don Bosco Technological Center, 1-0, to end the Bosconians’ grip of the title.
On the other hand, Ateneo, which won all five elimination round matches by an average of three goals, had to fight back from a goal down against the University of San Carlos, 3-2.
The semifinal losers will face each other in the battle for third place at 8 a.m. with DBTC trying to salvage its pride by winning third place against a USC side that was 17 minutes away from making its first Cesafi finals appearance.
Based on their elimination round meeting, the Magis Eagles have the pyschological edge, having defeated the USJ-R Kicking Jaguars, 3-0, with Leo Maquiling scoring a brace.
Maquiling was also instrumental during their semifinal win against USC, scoring the equalizer off his trademark free kick.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Nov. 11, USJ-R will take on USC in the college division and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation will face the University of the Visayas.
UV leads the standings on goal difference with USC at second and USJ-R at third. All three have 11 points, while USPF is fourth at 10 points.
Both UV and USC only need a draw to make the finals, while USPF and USJ-R need to win to advance to the finals on Nov. 18. /