THE University of the Visayas (UV) showed its never-say-die spirit to advance to the finals against three-time defending champion University of San Carlos (USC), which survived a late game collapse in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. college football competition.
UV conceded an early goal but fought back despite getting a man down against three-time finalist University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 2-1, while the USC Golden Booters conceded a late goal for a 1-1 draw with former champion University of San Jose-Recoletos.
UV finished the two-round elimination on top at 14 points, while USC was second at 12 points and an even goal difference. USJ-R finished third at 12 points and a -1 goal difference while USPF, which needed to win to advance, settled for fourth at 10 points.
However, it seemed UV was headed to another disappointing exit after a promising start after conceding a sixth-minute goal to Kevin Sumala, giving the Panthers a foot in the finals.
John Mansueto got UV back in the fight with a 40th-minute equalizer and gave the Green Booters breathing room after scoring the go-ahead goal eight minutes into the second half. USPF tried to push for an equalizer with UV reduced to 10 men after Segun Miracle earned a straight red card, but UV held on for the win and its first final appearance in 10 years.
Needing only a draw to advance to the finals, Terrence Colmenares preserved the stalemate as he punched off a probing 35-yarder by USJ-R midway in the first half. He was tested again off a corner and had to punch out a shot as both teams fought to a 0-0 score at half time.
But in the 52nd, there was no denying Aldrich Pelenio, who got a lovely feed from Steven Patalinghug and rushed all the way to the USJ-R box and beat Eugene de Arce with his left.
Despite taking a one-goal lead in a match where they needed only a draw, it was USC that lost its composure, committing silly fouls in the end game that gave Kenneth Cayor a chance to test Colmenares.
In the 90th, USJ-R finally broke the USC defense as an unmarked Cyrus Jumawan got a free header inside the box for the equalizer. However, it was too late as USJ-R never got to score again. (ML)