AFTER a one year break away from the throne triggered by the departure of key players, the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) is the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. high school football champion anew, beating the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), 5-3, in a shootout after an exciting final at the Cebu City Sports Center.
USJ-R, bannered by players who started their football under DBTC, finished second for the second straight year, this time getting so close after dominating the first half and hitting the bar at one point.
In the second half, Golden Boot and eventual MVP Josh Rupert Asignar tried to add to his 16-goal tally after he was left open at left flank but his shot wasn’t much a threat. On the other end, it was Christian Agot’s turn to poke at the DBTC defense, deftly getting past two defenders before hitting just high.
Asignar got himself free later in the game, feinting right and going left but he missed by inches as the two teams went to extension.
He had another one-on-one after a lovely feed from Carsten Pumareja but couldn’t convert. Moments later, he served as decoy for Vaugh Pacaña, who forced a save for a corner. Late in extension, both teams showed impressive football pedigree as they refused to take advantage of an injury, opting to play fair.
During the shootout, Asignar finally added to his tally, beating Renz Miko Murillo. Lance Matthew Alkuino, who was named the best keeper, had a hand on Agot’s shot but it still trickled in, while Murillo guessed right on Kristi Vance Ybañez attempt but couldn’t stop it as DBTC took a 2-1 lead.
Louis Adrian Colina made it 2-2 before Tristan Karl Enad gave DBTC the lead anew, 3-2. Then disaster struck for USJ-R.
Dustin Ramirez, who bailed out USJ-R in many tight spots with his goals, hit high and was reduced to tears as the DBTC crowd started to celebrate. Angelo Colina and Pumareja both converted their shots, paving the way for team captain Carlos Miguel Orale’s game winning penalty. (ML)