Depleted USC team collars crown

The University of San Carlos (USC) had only nine men in the sudden death period during its title duel against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) for the collegiate football crown of the 2011 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).

The nine however, compensated for their depleted number with big hearts and steel nerves as the Kicking Warriors beat the Kicking Panthers, 6-5 last night at the Aboitiz Sportsfield in Subangdaku, Mandaue.

The nerve-wracking win ended USC’s five-year title drought.

During sudden death, Palarong Pambansa stalwart Hanesin Prince Antony cooly sank his goal to put USC ahead. A few minutes later, jubilation erupted in the Warriors’ camp after Panther Lopito Tumulak Jr.’s effort went out of bounds handing USC the glittering trophy.

Regulation ended with neither teams managing a goal. With darkness fast approaching and USC down to just 10 men, the match went into a 30-minute extension where the Warriors absorbed another blow after losing another man to a red card. But with still no goals conceded, the match went into a penalty shootout.

Both teams’ designated kickers did their job and tied the score at 5-all forcing a sudden death.

Scorers for USC during the penalty shootout were Karl Arcenas, Ethan Belin Decena, Pomposo Atillo, John Roy Melgo and John Daniel Caballero.

USPF, on the other hand, had Joseph Rodriguez, Edmar Galacio, Aljohn Armamento, Jephunneh Pelanio and Wilford Sabella finding the back of the net.

USC head coach Gary Panagsagan said he is very happy with the win especially that the last time they held the title was in 2006 yet.

Making it more memorable is the fact that when USC won in 2006, it was coached by former Philippine national team member Joshua Figedero with Panagsagan as assistant coach. Figedero left the team in 2007 and only returned this year as Panagsagan’s assistant coach. The victory capped the coaches’ reunion.

USPF coach Eleazar Toledo, on the other hand, said he is not unhappy with the outcome as a shootout is anyone’s game.

He said that he is happy with what the boys showed as they followed instructions, did what they were suppose to do and that alone was enough for him.

“That game was just not for us,” Toledo said.

USPF seemed in control of the match, forcing USC on the defensive and not allowing the Warriors to set up a counter attack.

The Panthers also showed superb ball possession and crisp passing, but failed to convert this into a goal. USPF also has 16 goal attempts during regulation.

Eventually at the 78th minute, Folkhanes Antony was sent out after he bumped into a USPF player. Earlier, USPF’s Galacio tried to punch USC’s Arcenas.

USC lost its second man — Bernard Rotich during the extension after accumulating two yellow cards.

Meanwhile, University of the Visayas finished third after beating University of Cebu, 3-1.

Scorers for the Greenbooters were Fred Tan (11th), Joemar Pasinabo (80th) and John Paul Arranguez (86th) while Dario Surig Jr. scored the lone goal for UC.