THE University of San Carlos (USC) and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) played to an exciting scoreless draw thanks to the heroics of their keepers in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) college football competition at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday.
USC, the three-time defending champion, still leads the competition with seven points after winning its first two games, while USPF, which was a runner-up to USC the last three years, has three points in three games.
Paul Vincent Dael had one of the best chances in the first half but his open header off a free kick was tapped out by Jusrell Semblante. Minutes later, it was Aldrich Peleneo’s turn to get close as his free kick outside the box beat the wall and was headed to the top corner, but Semblante manage to reach it before it could get in.
It was the same story early in the second half, though this time, Semblante didn’t have to pull any heroics. Aldrich got a shot inside the box but was off target, while Christian Agot also missed from close range. USC thought it finally got 10 minutes after the break but the referee disallowed it for an earlier foul.
Then minutes later, USC was up in arms after Steven Patalinghug was brought down in the box but no penalty was called. During the counter-attack, Erwin Cortes managed to let loose from outside the box, but his shot was off target.
Then USC coach Allan Medalla brought defender Pietre Dakay to play as striker but the former national U18 team member failed to convert in two quick chances, going off target while two teammates were in the box during one attempt.
On the other hand, USPF came tantalizingly close after a beautiful buildup had Jeralph Tura free at right flank. However, Tura’s low-flying shot failed to get past sub keeper Terrence Colmenares, who had to pull a foot-save to preserve the score.
Then in the final minute USC had two final bungled chances. A quick counterattack had KJ Kyle Bendoy beating the keeper but he couldn’t fire off a shot in time. A poor clearance by USPF got Bendoy another chance but instead of passing back to a teammate, he took a hurried shot that was way off target.
In the second game, former champions University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars finally got their campaign on track after beating the University of Cebu, 1-0. (ML)