Ateneo-La Salle rivalry highlights Men's Football Opener

c/o UAAP

Matches today at UP Diliman Football Stadium

2 p.m. — FEU vs Adamson

4:30 p.m. — UST vs UE

7 p.m. — Ateneo vs DLSU

A tripleheader is set to kickoff the Collegiate Men's Football Tournament for the 87th season of the UAAP this afternoon. Matches are to take place at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City, with the revised schedule now putting them as part of the first semester sports.

Serving as the main highlight at 7pm is the latest edition of the great rivalry between Ateneo and La Salle.

Their last meeting was a 2-2 draw last May, with both teams holding the potential coming in to make the semifinals depending on the outcome.

Said draw was enough to put the Blue Eagles through, thanks to goals from Andy Roxas and eventual Golden Boot winner Kofi Agyei.

Ateneo gaffer JP Merida acknowledged the schedule change has an impact with regards to their preparations.

The three-time champion shares, "It is very challenging because of the very short preparation. But we cannot make that excuse. I'm confident that my players are ready to challenge again this Season 87. It will be a tough opening game, and there is no room for complacency because the moment you switch off, there is a chance we will go home with no points."

His Taft counterpart, Alvin Ocampo, highlights that the Green Booters are this coming season this with a sense of humility, noting the departure of key booters, including Franck Anoh, Vincent Eduave, and Mo Almohjili.

He says, "It promises to be a great game vs Ateneo as always. Our goal, of course, is to qualify for the Final Four."

Last season's losing finalists Far Eastern University will kick off the festivities at 2pm against Adamson. The Tamaraws were hoping for back-to-back football trebles before being denied by the University of the Philippines.

The other match of the day will feature the University of Santo Tomas against the University of the East at 430pm.

As for the Fighting Maroons, they will open their campaign against UST in a rematch of their semifinal last season on Thursday night at 7pm.