MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo seeks top spot when it clashes with defending champion Far Eastern University Thursday in a vital UAAP Season 77 men’s football game at FEU Diliman pitch in Quezon City.
Running third with 22 points, the Blue Eagles can leapfrog past University of the Philippines and La Salle with a victory over the Tamaraws at 3 p.m.
But FEU is equally motivated as a victory will also enhance its Final Four bid in what is turning out to be one of the most competitive tournaments in years. The Tamaraws hope to duplicate their 2-0 win over the Eagles in the first round.
National U tangles with University of Santo Tomas at 1 p.m.
The Bulldogs are also hoping to crack the Final Four for the first time this season. But at fifth spot with only 17 points, NU can no longer afford to drop points in its remaining matches.
With only 12 points to show, the Growling Tigers are already out of the Final Four race but could drag NU with them with a win.
Paolo Salenga will lead the line for the Bulldogs whose campaign so far was highlighted by a stunning win over the Tamaraws in the first round.
Ateneo will once again turn to midfield general Mikko Mabanag for inspiration against an FEU side that wasted a late lead in the 3-3 draw against UP last week.
Without last season’s Most Valuable Player Paolo Bugas, the Tamaraws’ attacking options were greatly reduced. But in John Melliza, they also have a creative player who has a penchant for delivering in important matches.
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