CESAFI collegiate football semifinals this pm

CEBU - Four teams fight for dear life as they figure in a double knockout semifinal duel today in the resumption of the 2008 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) collegiate football tournament at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center field in Brgy. Talamban, this city.

Games today

(USC-TC field, Talamban)

12:30 pm USC vs. USJ-R

2:30 pm USPF vs. UV

The top seeded University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Kicking Panthers collides with the fourth-ranked University of the Visayas (UV) Green Booters in the main game at 2:30 pm, right after the equally-exciting showdown between the University of San Carlos (USC) and regional titlist University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

The winners in the twin sudden-death matches will clash for the championship tomorrow at the same venue, while the losers will battle for third place.

Both USPF and USC finished the classification round with 3-1-1 win-loss-draw record, but the Panthers gained top seeding due to a superior goal difference of nine against the Carolinians’ four.

By the numbers, USPF is the heavy favorite because its has more ball possessions, shots and shots on goal than UV.

USPF, however, can’t take UV lightly because the Green Booters earned a distinction for being the only team in the tourmanent that did not concede a loss. The Visayanians ended the elimination phase with a win and four draws - a strong manifestation of their tenacious defense and big fighting heart.

“It’s a match-up between the best attacking team (USPF) versus the best defensive team (UV),” remarked Jonathan “Maxi” Maximo, chief of PaBolFC that manages the CESAFI football event.

USC, on the other hand, seeks payback of its 0-2 defeat to USJ-R during their previous encounter. That was a non-bearing match though as the Carolinians were already assured of a semifinal berth at that time. In that setback also, USC was without midfielder Melvin Elle, who was serving his one-game suspension, and rested some of its key players particulary ace striker Kyle Soriano.

Experience wise, USJ-R has the edge over USC being the defending champion. The Spiking Jaguars proceeded to dominate the PRISAA Central Visayas Finals before settling for first runner-up honors in the national level of the multi-sport conclave among private schools in the country.—EBV (THE FREEMAN)