Baby Tams in do-or-die tiff vs Junior Maroons

FAR Eastern U sets out to keep its title-retention bid alive when it collides with University of the Philippines Thursday in the UAAP Season 78 men’s football tournament at Ateneo’s Moro Lorenzo Field in Loyola Heights.

The Tamaraws have no recourse but to pick up maximum points in the 2 p.m. duel with the Fighting Maroons to advance to the Final Four.

La Salle takes on University of Santo Tomas at 4 p.m. in another critical battle in the Final Four race.

Interestingly, FEU can also clinch the top seed in the next round with a victory and a La Salle loss, but the Tamaraws, who have 24 points, will be eliminated with a defeat.

This season’s Final Four race is one of the tightest in recent memory with three teams in the running for the last two remaining spots in the semifinals.

A loss by UST along with an FEU victory or a draw will send the Tigers to a playoff with Ateneo for the remaining Final Four slot.

UP already assured itself of a spot in the next round just like La Salle, which beat Adamson, 2-0, last Sunday.

The Tamaraws will have their hands full breaking down the Maroons, who boast the league’s best defense, having conceded just five goals this season.

The Growling Tigers are tied with the Blue Eagles at 25 points, and a draw will be enough for the España-based booters to join the Maroons and the Green Archers in the Final Four.

But La Salle, with 26 points, is also gunning for the No. 1 ranking in the semifinals.