USJ-R slips to cellar in CESAFI football

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Kicking Jaguars found themselves in an unusual position in the collegiate division of the 2010 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) football event at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Technological Center field in Brgy. Talamban, this city.

USJ-R dropped further at the bottom of the standings after it absorbed a 1-2 setback to the University of Southern Philippine Foundation (USPF).

It was a sorry loss for USJ-R as it broke the ice of the match courtesy of Junjun Pintuan at the 24th.

USPF, however, suddenly caught fire in the second half, with Aljohn Armamento and Joseph Rodriguez knocking in back-to-back goals at the 73rd and 87th to turn back USJ-R.

Another highly-physical match ensued which resulted to USJ-R’s Russel Layumas, and USPF’s Joseph Rodriguez, Jonard Fuentes,Lopito Tumulak and Carlo Zabalero being slapped with yellow cards. Also, Paul Niño de la Victoria of USJ-R will serve an automatic one-game suspension after being assessed with a red card at the 20th.

USC, on the other hand, took the temporary lead despite figuring in a 2-all draw with the University of the Visayas (UV).

USC seemed headed to a smooth-sailing victory as its took a 2-0 advantage at halftime courtesy of goals from Folkhanes Anthony and Karl Vincent Arcenas at the 15th and 40th.

But UV displayed great fighting spirit, thanks to the heroics of Juvinal Villahermosa who punched in two consecutive goals at the 46th and 90th to save the day for the Green Booters.

Three yellow cards were issued in that slightly physical match, two from Joe Marie Arriesgado of UV while the other one came from Hannesin Prince Anthony of USC. (FREEMAN)