THE visiting University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Balamban made its trip to the Sinulog Football Festival memorable after topping the U9 division.
USJ-R Balamban, which regularly makes the knockout stage when it joins football festivals in the city, defeated Giuseppe 2-1 in the finals to bring home the title.
In the semis, Giuseppe outlasted Bafs, 1-0, while USJ-R Balamban also ousted another favorite, St. Theresa’s College, 2-1.
Giuseppe made up for its loss after topping the U13 division over the Talisay Razkals, 1-0. In the semis, Giuseppe blanked STC, 2-0, while the Razkals ousted Center for International Education, 1-0.
On the other hand, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu made up for an early loss in the group stage to beat Sheba, 2-0, in the finals of the Girls 15 division.
Ateneo lost to Sheba, 4-1, in its first game but made the finals after scoring similar 4-3 wins over Guardian Strikers and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation to become one of the top two teams to advance to the final.
The Sinulog Football Cup, sponsored by Dakay Construction, Smart, CCLEX and Julies Bakeshop, continues on Feb. 17 still at the Cebu City Sports Center. After the age group matches, it will be the turn of the men’s and women’s open and the inter-company division. (ML)