THE University of San Jose-Recoletos ended Don Bosco Technological Center’s string of 17 finals appearances, while top seed Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu fought back from an early goal to boot out the University of San Carlos-Basic Education Department in the semifinal round of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. football tournament at the Cebu City Sports Center.
USJ-R, bannered by former DBTC students, handed DBTC its first semifinal defeat, 1-0, to arrange a Nov. 10 finals date with Ateneo, a 2-1 winner over USC-BED.
In the first game, DBTC had the advantage in ball possession in the first half but couldn’t take advantage of their chances. Charles Unabia got a lovely pass from Josh Asignar but shot wide, while moments later, his cross was caught by the keeper.
On the other end, Christian Vierh Agot also had an early chance but he couldn’t wing a shot after getting past his defender.
Then midway into the half, Earl Matthew Berciles had the best chance for DBTC, getting the ball inside the box from the drive of Unabia. However, instead of redirecting it to the goal, he attempted to control it but his first touch was too strong, leading to an easy pick-up for the defense.
In the second half, USJ-R had more touches and Agot finally broke the deadlock in the 71st, playing off a give-and-go to beat the advancing Lance Alkuino for the lone goal of the match.
In the second game, Paolo Canoy caught the Ateneo defense napping as he got USC ahead in the eight minute. But with an offense that netted an average of four goals per game, Ateneo kept driving for that equalizer.
Leo Maquiling tried to connect with Christopher Ozawa, but John Ryll Eldian managed to stop an attempt. Christian Lumapas also got a cross inside the box but his shot was too soft, while a volley from Maquiling moments later was also too high.
Maquiling, Ateneo’s designated set-piece taker, had his first real chance off a free kick but couldn’t beat Eldian. USC’s Frank Mendoza also gave headaches to the Ateneo offense with his numerous forays but he couldn’t convert on his chances.
In the second half, Ateneo thought they had the equalizer but Osawa’s goal was disallowed for an offside.
However, there was no denying Maquiling a few minutes later. Getting a free kick just outside the box after Osawa was brought down, he beat the wall and had Eldian looking as he sent the ball to the bottom corner for the equalizer.
Maquiling played the provider in the go-ahead goal, as he beat an approaching Eldian by heading the ball back to Osawa, whose overhead kick sent the Ateneo crowd to a frenzy.
USC-BED tried to fight back by sending players forward but they couldn’t get a decent shot, while the Ateneo defense held on for the come-from-behind win.
The two finalists will enjoy a long break as the finals will be played on Nov. 10, while the losing semifinalists will also face each other in the battle for third place. ML