SHS-J booters, USPF volleybelles sizzle

CEBU, Philippines - The Sacred Heart School-Jesuit (SHS-J) booters pulled off a nerve-wracking 4-3 win via penalty shootout over Don Bosco College to book a semifinal ticket for the first time in the secondary boys football event of the 14th Milo Little Olympics Visayas eliminations yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The two protagonists figured in a closely-fought match resulting into a 2-all standoff at the end of the regulation period. In the penalty shootout, Sacred Heart outgunned Don Bosco, 2-1, for the landmark triumph.

Prior to stunning Don Bosco, Sacred Heart blanked M-ZED of Banawa, 6-0.

SHS-J’s younger comrades also secured a semis slot in the elementary boys division after routing Subangdaku Elementary School , 6-1.

On the other hand, PAREF-Springdale joined SHS-J into in the next round after crushing Bright Academy , 7-0, and Pope John Seminary, 8-0.

Abellana National School also advanced after scoring a double massacre against Cebu Institute of Technology, 22-0, and St. Francis de Assisi, 16-0.

Newcomer Compostela National High School entered the spotlight after fending off University of San Carlos, 3-1, and Mandaue Technical Institute, 4-2.

In the elementary level, defending champion PAREF-Springdale kept its title retention bid alive after eking out a 4-3 nail-biter via penalty shootout over Canduman Elementary School.

The Bosconians did not suffer the same fate as their older counterparts as they drubbed St. Paul Learning Center , 15-1, and Til-tilon Elementary School of Liloan, 10-0, to march into the penultimate round.

Bright Academy completed the semifinal cast after trouncing University of San Carlos , 4-1.

In the secondary girls, Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC) – Mandaue topped the elimination round with a 2-0 slate. The CIC bets shackled defending champion St. Theresa’s College, 2-1, and SHS-J, 4-3.

Sacred Heart tallied on win though at the expense of Bright Academy , 4-0.

Volleyball

Seven-time champion University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) easily hurdled their first two assignments in the secondary girls volleyball. The Jordan Paca-mentored USPF thrashed Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, 25-4, 25-7, and then pummeled Liloan National High School, 25-16, 25-17.

Though heavily favored, USPF is expected tough opposition from Abellana National School and Pajo National High School .

Palarong Pambansa grandslam champion Catmon Central School, on the other hand, gained a quarterfinal ticket in the elementary level.

“This (Catmon) is the team to beat in the elementary. You could really see their determination to win and their training paid off. They are in perfect form for the championship and even for the national finals,” said CCSC manager and organizer Ricky Ballesteros.

The other quarter-finalists include Colegio del Sto. Niño (CSN), St. Alfonso's Catholic School (SACS), St. Theresa’s College (STC) and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

In the elementary boys, USJ-R, CSN, Lyceum, Lahug, Pardo and Mambaling marched into the next round. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)