FAR Eastern University and University of the Philippines clash for the UAAP Season 86 men’s football title Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Kick-off is at 5 p.m.
Victory will complete the Tamaraws’ golden treble for a second straight season. FEU’s juniors team annexed a record 11th crown last March while its women’s squad reasserted its mastery of La Salle in the final last Friday.
FEU completed a comeback to defeat Ateneo, 2-1, and reach the final, while UP nipped University of Santo Tomas on penalties, 8-7, after a 1-1 standoff in the other semifinal.
“We’re just gonna come out and play our final game strong,” FEU coach Albert Besa said.
“It is good to be back at the finals but the job is not yet done,” UP coach Popoy Clarino said. “FEU is a very strong team, championship caliber. They have lots of natural players.”
FEU prevailed, 4-2, in their first match on Feb. 25. UP won their April 25 encounter, 2-0.
“We’re gonna give it our best in the finals,” said Tamaraws midfielder Martini Rey, who has six goals this season.
UP, which fell short of the Final Four last season, is eyeing its first championship since 2018 (Season 80) and its 19th overall.
“We’re gonna come back stronger, better than the second round. We’re gonna take the game to them because, as a team, we don’t want our seniors to leave without a championship. We’re hungry for it,” said Fighting Maroons rookie goalkeeper Alfonso Gonzalez.
