Cesafi Round 1: All Square

(This is a longer version of the report that will come out on Sun.Star Cebu on Aug. 20)
THE first round of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. football events saw a couple of draws in front of a sizeable crowd at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The University of Cebu (UC) wasted a lot of scoring opportunities in its 1-1 draw with the University of the Visayas (UV), while the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) played to a scoreless draw with the University of Southern Philippines. 

All four teams now have one point each, while defending champion University of San Carlos will see action on Sept. 2.



USJ-R, which fielded the core lineup of the Cebu Suzuki U-23 team, had the advantage against the rookie-filled lineup of USPF, but the wards of Elying Toledo held them off.

USJ-R controlled the first half but Rikko De Guzman missed a clear chance after he was left alone in front of the goal, while Junjun Pintuan�s shot was intercepted.

"It's part of first game jitters. Nag adjust pa ang mga bata sa duwa ug sa field but eventually ma okay ra na," said Bro. Mari Aberasturi of USJR coaching staff.

Aberasturi said the CCSC field is an ideal venue for football matches as it is convenient for the crowd.

USPF picked up its game in the second half and responded with counter attacks but skipper Aljohn Armamento�s shot merely kissed the post.

Pintuan got another chance but his shot went wide, while another was saved by the keeper.

"Ga gel pa gyud mi sa bag-o na system but I'm just satisfied with my boy's performance in the first game," said Toledo.

In the first game, UC had the upperhand in the first half but poor finishing by their strikers had them held to a 0-0 draw at half time.   Jeson Roca had the best chance for UC in the first half but his header to an open goal sailed high, while Ryan Satorre�s 30-yarder also kissed the post.

UV spent most of the first half defending but it was a different story in the second half as UV caught the UC defense sleeping.

After forcing Michael Fernandez to a save, a lovely-give-and-go from the wing had Pedro Diao banging in the first goal in the 54th minute.  Diao got another chance a minute later but his shot from outside the box sailed wide.

Raymond Torres could have gotten the equalizer for UC but his header was tapped out by UV�s Francisco Villarico.  UC wasted another chance from a free kick in the 56th, while Fernandez stopped Diao in a one-on-one in the 60th.

In the 61st, substitute Pasinabo flirted with a strike from left flank that just sailed a bit wide and three minutes later, UC added to its woes with a comical free kick.

Two players got near the ball, with one to serve as decoy, but due to a miscommunication, both players ran away from the ball, leaving no one to take the shot.

UC finally got the equalizer in the 65th minute with Axel Jake Parel eluding his defenders and Villarico with his deft touch for a simple tap-in.