THE University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) ended its losing spell against the University of San Carlos (USC) emphatically, while the University of San Jose-Recoletos also kept its bid for a finals spot alive in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. football competition.
USPF, three times a loser to USC in the finals, used a speedy Ares Duarte to blank a lackaidasal USC, 2-0, while USJ-R, the only team to win four straight titles, outlasted the University of Cebu, 1-0.
The results mean this year’s finalists will be determined on Sunday, Nov. 11, when USPF takes on leader University of the Visayas and USC squares off with USJ-R.
UV, USC and USJ-R are tied at 11 points, while USPF is fourth at 10 points. UV leads the table on goal difference at 7, while USC is second despite conceding two goals. USJ-R is third at -1 and USPF is fourth.
A win by USPF over UV on Sunday will see the Panthers advance to the finals for the fourth straight year, while a draw could be enough to see UV return to the finals for the first time since 2005. On the other hand, a draw will also see USC through as the no. 2 team on goal difference regardless of the outcome of the UV vs. USPF match.
But yesterday, it seemed USC was headed for a no. 1 finish as it controlled the first half despite fielding keeper Terrence Colmenares up front. After an early attack by Jeralph Tura, it was all USC in the first half with Jose Francisco Alicaya, Nathaniel Buca, Angelo Ouano and Colmenares taking turns in trying to get past USPF keeper Bennydick Saligan.
Alicaya had the best chance off a 30-yard free kick as he forced Saligan to tap the ball out, while Colmenares also showed he’s as good as making chances as stopping them as his quick turn and shoot in the 44th was just inches high.
But in the second half, things turned quickly for USPF. Coming in as a sub, Duarte was a speed demon at left flank, overtaking two sleepy USC defenders to the ball before banging it at the shocked USC keeper.
From dominating the game possession-wise in the first half, USC was forced to play catchup, leaving some opening at the back for the speedy Duarte and Tura.
Alicaya again had a chance inside the box but his missle of a shot was cleared by a defender. Things got worse for USC in the middle of the second half after referee Luis Arriesgado slapped Ouano with a straight red card for punching his defender in the head. He will serve a one-game suspension, pay a P5,000 fine and will have to serve a four-hour community service before he is allowed to play.
With a man down, USC still tried to push forward for the equalizer but left itself vulnerable and Duarte made them pay in injury time, intercepting a pass and rushing towards goal for the finishing touch of the game. (MTL)