University of the Philippines seeks to strengthen its hold of the top spot, when it collides with host Ateneo at the resumption of the 71st UAAP football tournament at the Erenchun field on the Ateneo campus.
The league-leading State U Fighting Maroons, who hold a 4-0-1 win-loss-draw for 13 points, are aiming to repeat against the winless Ateneo Blue booters, currently at the bottom with 0-4-1 card (1 point).
UP meets Ateneo at 3 p.m. after the 1 p.m. game between University of Santo Tomas (2-1-2) and reigning champion Far Eastern University (1-2-2).
“I’m sure all the teams now are aiming to beat us but if we can maintain our aggressiveness and discipline with enough hard work, there’s no way we lose,” said two-year UP coach Frank Muescam, who expects left-wing striker Jose Andoni Santos to strike again.
Santos piloted State U to three big wins in first round after delivering the lone and game-winning goal against University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo and University of the East.
The second-running La Salle Green Booters (3-1-1) are gunning for their fourth victory against UE Red Booters (1-3-1).