UP, FEU open title defense in UAAP football tourney

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University open defense of the men’s and women’s crowns, respectively, as football action in UAAP Season 74 resumes Jan. 15 at the Ateneo pitch.

The Fighting Maroons, winner of 15 titles, are again expected to pin their hopes on ace striker Jinggoy Valmayor, last season’s Rookie of the Year who played for the national under-23 Azkals squad in the last SEA Games, when they take on the Blue Eagles in the featured opening-day match at 3:15 p.m.

Also on tap in the men’s contest are the De La Salle-University of the East match at 10 a.m. and University of Santo Tomas-FEU contest at 1 p.m.

The Lady Tamaraws, who won the title last year with a 1-0 victory over the Growling Tigresses, won’t be playing until Jan. 19 when they face the Lady Eagles at 1:15 p.m. The reigning titlists are expected to lean on Season 73 Most Valuable Player Frea Fado in their title-retention drive.

De La Salle and Ateneo open the women’s football season at 1 p.m. while UST and UP tangle at 3:15 p.m. also on Jan. 15.

In juniors play, the FEU Baby Tamaraws open defense of the crown against the Tiger Cubs of UST at 8 a.m. on Jan. 15, followed by the 10 a.m. match between Ateneo and La Salle-Zobel.

On Jan. 18, still at the Ateneo field, only the men will see action with FEU taking on UP at 10 a.m., Ateneo facing UE at 1 p.m. and UST battling De La Salle at 3:15 p.m.