Friday, May 23, 2008 USLS vs FU in tension-filled COC bootfest final By Henry C. Villalva
TENSION became the central character of Thursday's two crucial matches in the ongoing 1st Carlos O. Cojuangco (COC) National Collegiate Football Invitational, which draws to a close Saturday.
The games will be held at the Panaad Sports and Recreational Park pitch.
In fact, based on what transpired Thursday, football fans have reason to look forward to a dramatic championship clash between pre-tournament favorite University of St. La Salle (USLS) and Foundation University (FU) of Dumaguete City, the two sides which will miss some key players when they collide for the title at 6 p.m. Saturday.
USLS nipped a hard-fighting FU side, 3-2, but will miss their No. 1 keeper Michael Casas after the ex-national team goalie got red-carded when he left the goalkeeper's area and hit FU forward Michael Tulang outside of play.
The incident prompted referee Val Macasero to issue the red card since Casas' alleged infraction was committed after Macasero already assessed Tulang with what table officials called "a simple foul."
But FU will likewise be playing Saturday minus skipper Jason Cutamora and John Rubio, who also incurred red cards Thursday.
FU actually scored first courtesy of Alexandre Elnar in the 19th minute before La Salle equalized in the 73rd minute via a well-timed goal from on top of the penalty box by RP team campaigner Arnie Pasinabo, who escaped from his defenders, to execute the blast that momentarily caused the FU booters to lose focus from their otherwise formidable first half defense.
Then USLS scored two more successive goals - in the 75th by Jun Saraga and in the 77th by the wily Floriano Pacilan Jr., who deftly maneuvered from left flank to elude his defenders and score on a one-on-one situation.
FU's Richard Labi managed to score another goal in the 85th but La Salle already controlled the flow of the match and held on towards the final whistle.
Meanwhile, Central Philippine University (CPU) edged University of Mindanao (UM), 4-2, in a virtually non-bearing clash which saw the Iloilo booters needing to score at least five goals if they were to advance to Saturday's finals against USLS.
In a match that saw FIFA referee Arnel Sagansay issue a lot of cards on both sides, the Joseph Gensaya-mentored CPU booters scored through John Ian Tomo (10th), Ifeanyi Agi Prince (64th & 75th) and Jan Michael Suace (82nd) while UM got their goals courtesy of Glen Bulaquiña (65th & 83rd) and Jason Mortillero (75th).
UM and CPU will face off again on Saturday morning at 8 p.m. for third place.
Asked to comment on the quality of officiating, Gensaya told a post-match interview: "If you know your football, there will always be bad calls and good calls but overall, this is a good tournament because it has given my players the opportunity to mature in their game."
