DEFENDING CHAMPION University of San Carlos (USC) faltered in its first game in tertiary football competition in the 2012 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. after bowing to the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R), 0-2, yesterday at the football field of the Cebu City Sports Center.
Drawing first blood in the match was Rikko de Guzman, who found the back of the net early in the 7th minute. Edmar Madrilejo sealed the Jaguars’ first win this season with a goal of his own in the 64th minute.
The second match saw the University of Cebu (UC) put up a surprise effort against 2011 1st runner-up University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and completed a come from behind 3-1 win.
The match’s first goal was scored by the Panthers’ Aljhun Armamento. However, that proved to be USPF’s only score.
With 15 minutes remaining in the ballgame, UC’s Neri Mole started the scoring spree for the Webmasters. This was followed with an 80th minute goal by Axel Jake Parel. UC’s win was sealed by Christian Vasquez in added time.
UC, the 2010 champions, currently holds the top spot with three points while USJ-R is at second.
Although both teams have three points apiece, UC edged USJ-R with a 2-point goal difference. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON