CEBU, Philippines — The defending champions University of San Carlos (USC) Golden Booters and the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) Greywolves remained undefeated in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 men’s football tournament at the Cebu City Sports Center over the weekend.
In the college division, the Golden Booters escaped with a thrilling 2-1 win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Kicking Jaguars to stretch their perfect start to 4-0.
USJ-R’s MC Maiko Silva broke the ice of the match at the 13th minute but USC’s John Cyril Sinoy sank the equalizer at the 46th minute.
Christian Vierh Agot then delivered the winning goal for the Carolinians at the 59th minute.
In the other game, the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons turned back the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Kicking Panthers, 2-1, to improve their record to 3-1
USPF actually surprised UP Cebu when Roberto Luis Aguilar fired the opening goal with just four minutes gone by in the game.
But the Fighting Maroons fought back with aplomb with back-to-back goals from Carl Marx Carin and Jaybe Abasolo at the 40th and 45th minutes, respectively, to pull the rug from under the Kicking Panthers.
In the secondary category, the DBTC Greywolves edged the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles via a 2-1 nail-biter for their third victory laced with a draw.
John Lexter Conde and Allister Louis Manlosa towed the Bosconians to a 2-0 lead with goals at the 40th and 79th minute.
Ateneo de Cebu’s Adam Clinton Lee found the back of the net at the 80th minute but it was already too late.
In the other high school duel, Cyrus Primar Ventura converted the game-clincher at the 18th minute as USJ-R evened its record at 2-2 with a 1-0 triumph over USC. — (FREEMAN)