AFTER conceding an injury time penalty to defending champion University of San Carlos (USC), the University of Southern Philippines Foundation bounced back into contention with a convincing 3-0 win over the University of the Philippines in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. collegiate football competition at the Cebu City Sports Center on Sept. 28, 2025.
USPF, which lost to USC, 2-1, during the opening week, now has three points, thanks to the brilliance of Robert Luis Aguilar, who completed a hat trick in the 19th, 43rd and 53rd minute for player of the match honors.
On the other hand, USC and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) played to a scoreless draw with the Jaguars’ Vaugh Ulric Gonzales earning Best Player of the Match honors.
USC is still at first place with four points, while USJ-R is third with a point. UP is fourth after losing its debut.
In the high school division, USJ-R and defending champion Don Bosco Technical College share a point after a 1-1 draw. Edgar Paredes scored for DBTC in the 58th minute before Luis Vincent Ferandez, who was named Player of the Game, scored the equalizer in the 63rd.
Meanwhile, tournament director Francis Ramirez said the Cesafi has issued a reprimand to the USPF who was caught on video punching a USC player during the opening weekend.
Ramirez said that under the league rules, sanctions will only be meted out based on decisions made by the referees. The punching incident, which happened off the ball, wasn’t seen by any official and no decision during the match was made.
However, Ramirez said Cesafi will field its own camera team in future matches and off-ball incidents like the one that happened in the USPF vs USC match will be reviewed using official videos from the league.