UP XI edges FEU, faces Ateneo for UAAP crown

MANILA, Philippines - Three-peat-seeking University of the Philippines hacked out a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Far Eastern U in extra time to reach the UAAP Season 75 men’s football finals against early finalist Ateneo yesterday at the Ateneo field.

Trailing halfway through, 0-1, the Fighting Maroons cranked it up in a determined effort to keep their title-retention bid alive and were rewarded with two goals that turned the tables around and sent them into the best-of-three title series with the waiting Ateneo.

The Blue Eagles, who topped the elims, advanced to the finals ahead after beating fourth-ranked La Salle in penalty shootout, 4-3, in the Final Four last Friday. 

The Tams seized the early initiative against the Maroons, with Jesus Melliza connecting off a through ball by Paolo Bugas at the 22nd minute. It was the 22nd goal of the tourney for Melliza, the league’s undisputed top scorer.

The Maroons drew level at the 64th, off a Jinggoy Valmayor free kick that culminated in a header by Boiboi Fernandez. 

The two teams fought on even terms until the 19th minute of extra time when Gabe Mendoza struck to deliver the marginal goal for UP.

The No. 2 and twice-to-beat Maroons were forced to yesterday’s rubbermatch by third seeded Tamaraws after the Morayta-based booters scored a 5-1 rout in the semis behind the hat trick of Melliza.

The Maroons and the Blue Eagles will kick off their duel for the title – dubbed as “battle of Katipunan” – on Thursday at Ateneo’s Moro Lorenzo Field.