USC XI ends five-year jinx in CESAFI football

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Carlos (USC) Golden Booters finally broke a five-year jinx after they outgunned the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Kicking Panthers via penalty shootout, 6-5, to win the title in collegiate division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) football event last Sunday at the Aboitiz Sports field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

The two protagonists were scoreless at the end of the regulation period, thus, the extension. Still, both sides failed to convert a goal resulting into a shootout with five designated kickers as agreed upon by the two teams.

The shootout ended at 5-all with USC’s Karl Arcenas, Ethan Belin Decena, Pomposo Atillo, John Roy Melgo and John Daniel Caballero living up to expectations, in the same manner with USPF's Joseph Rodriguez, Edmar Galacio, Aljohn Armamento, Jephunneh Pelanio and Wilford Sabella.

To determine the winner once and for all, a sudden-death had to be done with former Palarong Pambansa mainstay Hanesin Prince Antony of USC and Lopito Tumulak, Jr. of USPF tasked to deliver the goods for their teams.

Antony calmly made the goal, while Tumulak's attempt went out of bounds, leaving the Carolinians and their small throng of spectators to leap for joy.

Earlier, the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Booters edged out former champion University of Cebu (UC), 3-1, to lift the third place trophy. Among those who powered UV to victory were Fred Tan (11th), Joemar Pasinabo (80th) and John Paul Arranguez (86th). (FREEMAN)