FEU, UP booters clash for UAAP men's crown

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Far Eastern U and University of the Philippines clash for the men’s crown while La Salle and University of Santo Tomas duel for the ladies title in the UAAP football championships today.

The Maroons and the Tigresses pulled off big victories over their respective rivals last Thursday at the Erenchun field at Ateneo to force a pair of do-or-die duels in their respective divisions.

UST and La Salle tangle at 10 a.m. while UP and FEU collide at 2 p.m.

“We’ll be physically and mentally tough ,” said UP’s coach Frank Muescam, whose wards defeated the Tamaraws, 2-1, in the first game of title series.

Jose Allan Serna and the game-winning goal of Stephen Permanes keyed the UP win.

FEU topped the elims with a 6-2-2 mark worth 20 points, while UP placed second with a 5-1-4 card for 19 points.

FEU, which drew a goal from striker Jovanie Simpron, is expected to lean on its championship experience to foil State U’s title bid.

In the women’s side, La Salle of head coach Hans Smit (6-0-2 for 20 points) hopes to bounce back from its setback to the Tigresses, who wound up with 17 points with a 5-1-2 slate.

UST forged a rubber match after beating La Salle, 2-0.