NCAA Football: Red Booters shares early lead with CSB

San Beda edged Emilio Aguinaldo, 2-1, yesterday to seize an early share of lead with opening day winner St. Benilde that jumpstarted its title campaign in the 86th NCAA football competition at the San Beda pitch.

It was a victory that somehow eased the pain of the Lions' heartbreaking 0-1 defeat at the hands of the Blazers in the finale of last year's hotly contested championship in the event that is considered the world's most popular sport and is graining ground in the country.

St. Benilde's monumental upset in Season 85 ended the Mendiola-based eight-year reign in the oldest and one of the most prestigious and popular leagues in the land today.

The Lions though hope to bring in the momentum of their vengeful victory over the Blazers in last October's Philippine University Games in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental that somehow soothed some of the pain from their defeat a season ago.

The rivalry should make the CSB-San Beda match on Feb. 3 at the football field of the Philsports Arena in Pasig City more interesting since it would be viewed as a sneak preview of this year's much-awaited finale.

In juniors' action, San Beda overran a listless Letran, 18-0, to open their respective title aspirations on a bright note.

The simple but meaningful opening ceremony over the weekend was attended by no less than newly elected Philippine Football Federation president Mariano "Nonong" Araneta members of the Management Committee chaired by Frank Gusi of host San Sebastian.