USPF booters face USJ-R in opener

After missing out on the collegiate title of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) football tournament for the third time, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) will once again open its bid when the competition kicks off tomorrow afternoon at the newly rehabilitated Cebu City Sports Center football field.

 
The 2011 first runner-up will be facing University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) in its first assignment in the eliminations.

 
USPF head coach Eleazar Toledo said the team’s goal for now is to enter the semifinal round.

 
Toledo has his reasons for starting out cautiously. One is because five of his veteran players have already graduated.

 
The USPF roster is now left with eight veterans and 14 newbies, who were scouted in May during a friendly match with the Little Azkals or the Philippine Under 14 football team.

 
Of the eight veteran footballers, one is still recovering from an ACL injury.

 
According to Toledo, the team only started training for the 2012 Cesafi season last June.

 
USPF missed out on the title last year after bowing to eventual champions University of San Carlos (USC) in a penalty shootout.

 
The three-time first runner-up also lost the title twice to USJ-R in 2009 and 2010.