THREE-TIME defending champion University of San Carlos (USC) opened its Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. college football season on a strong note with a 1-0 win over University of Cebu (UC) yesterday.
On the other hand, the University of the Visayas (UV) showed it’s one of the contenders this season with a masterful 4-1 win over former champion University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in the first game.
USC, which is seeking to become the first team since USJ-R to win four straight football titles, fielded most of its rookies in the first half to give them some experience.
The risk paid off as Pyke Tinoy flicked in a redirected cross in the 29th for the first goal of the match.
USC had numerous chances to add more in the second half but they couldn’t convert, while UC, which has a new coaching staff this season, also had a few close calls.
Christian Agot delivered a volley inside the box after a nice USC build-up from left to right flank but his effort was just inches high. A few minutes later, USC thought it got the second goal.
Steven Patalinghug beat UC keeper Arnold Salise to a free kick, but his glancing header had the ball bouncing off the ground and hitting the top bar to the chagrin of the USC bench.
Moments later, it was UC’s turn to get disappointed as James Escoton found Jospeh Rico Oclarit at left flank but his header from an acute angle wasn’t on target.
USC again had a chance from a free kick, but this time Christian Paulo Saguin’s 40-yard shot was just too high and on the other end, Joseph Limana got free on a quick counter but again his shot was too easy for Terrence Colmenares to pick up.
And just before the final whistle, UC again got a gift. Late substitute Pietre Dakay, one of the most experienced rookies in the team, committed an uncharacteristic mistake. Thinking there was no one behind, he let go of a backpass, expecting Colmenares to pick it up.
Instead, it was Limana who got the ball and he dutifully sped inside the box but his eight-foot shot couldn’t get past a diving Colmenares.
In the first game, UV got ahead in the 32nd minute with the first of John Vargas’s two goals. John Mansueto gave UV a 2-0 lead in the 56th before Vargas scored his second in the 71st for a comfortable 3-0 lead.
USJ-R got on board in the 76th but it was a little too late as UV held on for its opening win.
UV now leads the competition at three points, while USC is second, also with three points but trailing the leader by a goal. This Wednesday, UV will gun for its second win against UC, while USJ-R will shoot for its maiden victory against perennial runner-up University of Southern Philippiens Foundation. (ML)