Last week, the University of the Philippines-Cebu men’s football team showed it can win. This time, it showed it has character. UP Cebu climbed to second spot in the rankings after a come-from-behind win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos, 2-1, in the final day of the first round of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. men’s football competition at the Cebu City Sports Center on Oct. 27, 2024.
After giving up a 13th minute goal by Kirk Justine Alabati, UP kept its composure and finally got the equalizer three minutes from the break.
Buoyed by the late first half goal, UP, which tallied its first win in its history against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) last week, probed for the go-ahead goal before finding it seven minutes from time, courtesy of Gideon Amora.
UP Cebu now sits at second in the league with six points, while USJ-R, the former eight-time champion is last after losing all first round matches.
On the other hand, the University of San Carlos (USC) barely kept its winning run, 2-1, against a determined USPF, keeping alive its chance to win the title outright via sweep.
Christian Vierh Agot gave USC the lead in the 42nd minute but USPF got the perfect chance for an equalizer after a last-gasp penalty. However, Benedict Tabar rose to the occasion and blocked the attempt to preserve the win.
With its third win, USC stays on top at nine points, while USPF dropped to third with three points on a win and two losses.
In the high school division, Don Bosco Technological Center took the top spot after beating USJ-R 2-0 as erstwhile co-leaders Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu was held to a 2-2 draw by USC.
Mark Talingting scored he opener in the 30th, while Czar Robert Daanoy made it 2-0 in the 38th as DBTC improved to seven points on two wins and a draw.
Meanwhile, DBTC and SHS played to an entertaining 2-2 draw with Zidane Canete scoring first for Ateneo in the 20th. However, 20 minutes later Grazzel Cody Abatayo got the equalizer as both teams headed to a 1-1 draw at the break.
In the 64th, Jared Almendras got Ateneo the lead again only for USC to play catch up 10 minutes later, thanks to Stephen Marq Cantago.
After the end of the first round, DBTC is at No. 1 on 7 points, while Ateneo is second at five. USJ-R is third at three points, while USC is last with one draw in three matches.
The Cesafi will take a one week break for the All Souls Day break before starting the second round on Nov. 9, with USC-BED facing DBTC and Ateneo taking on USJ-R in the high school division. In the college division, UP will gun for its third straight win against USC, while USJ-R will shoot for its first win against USPF.