UP XI clinches twice-to-beat

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning champion University of the Philippines subdued Far Eastern U, 2-0, to claim the second twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four of the UAAP men’s football Season 75 at the Erenchun field in Ateneo campus over the weekend.

Gerardo Valmayor struck on the 13th minute to give UP the early edge then keeper Ace Villanueva foiled FEU’s Jesus Melliza’s attempts, including in the 67th minute, to preserve the lead and the win.

Melliza, who made as many as 15 goals this season, kicked the ball inside the penalty box, but Villanueva used his body to block the shot while bucking the accidental hits by the FEU players.

Valmayor exploited FEU’s weak defensive set up at the middle by scoring his second goal on the 71st minute in a one-on-one play as the Fighting Maroons surged to 2-0.

The Fighting Maroons thus took the No. 2 spot with twice-to-beat edge in the elims. They will face the Tams again in the semifinals after FEU finished third.

Host Ateneo, who gained the first twice-to-beat incentive, will meet No. 4 La Salle in the semis.

Ateneo and La Salle clash at 9 a.m.whiile UP and FEU square off at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Over at the Ocampo field, FEU (5-0-3 win-loss-draw card for 18 points) and De La Salle University (3-1-4 log for 13 points) arranged a title showdown after beating their respective rivals in the women’s division.