UNIVERSITY of the Philippines guns for two titles when its men and women’s teams battle Ateneo and De La Salle, respectively, in the finals of their respective divisions today at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Fighting Maroons, who have used the death of teammate Rogie Maglinas as a source of inspiration all season long, try to cap their impressive run with a 17th crown against an Ateneo side shooting for its first title since 2013.
UP aims for a first women’s title against La Salle at 3 p.m. The Lady Booters of coach Hans Smit are looking for their ninth title, although the Taft-based team has not won a crown since 2010.
Coach Anto Gonzales’ charges have dedicated their season to Maglinas, who passed away last February due to cancer.
“We want to win it for Rogie,” said Gonzales, who last steered the Maroons to the crown since 2012. “Confidence is high within the team, especially our rookies, but we know we’re facing a formidable Ateneo squad.”
UP reached the finals after toppling University of Santo Tomas, 3-0, thanks to goals from rookies Kyle Magdato, King Miyagi and Raphael Resuma, while Ateneo prevailed over La Salle in a penalty shootout to book its first finals stint in three years.
A rock-solid defense has keyed the Maroons’ impressive late-season form as the squad kept seven straight clean sheets in a run that started in the second round.
Ateneo coach JP Merida said his Eagles are in for a grind against a team which he described as very organized in defending and attacking.