UP, Ateneo begin UAAP football title clash

Matches Thursday:

(Rizal Memorial Stadium)

3 p.m. – DLSU vs UP (Women Finals)

5:30 p.m. – UP vs Ateneo (Men Finals)

MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines and Ateneo go for all the marbles in the UAAP Season 78 men's football championship Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.

This Katipunan derby is a rematch of the 2013 Finals where the Blue Eagles bested the Fighting Maroons, where both matches were decided via penalty shootout.

UP is actually eyeing for a golden double as its women's squad seeks for a first-ever title against La Salle in the curtain raiser at 3 p.m.

The Lady Archers, who topped the elimination round, are eyeing for a ninth crown and the first since 2010.

Motivated as ever, the Maroons are determined to win it all for Rogie Maglinas, a 19-year-old defender who passed away after a bout with rhabdomyosarcoma, or cancer of the skeletal muscles, last January.

 "Sana nandito siya (Maglinas) ngayon," said coach Anto Gonzales, who is seeking to steer UP to its 17th crown and the first since 2012. "The boys have been confident since Day 1."

Daniel Gadia has been impressive for the Maroons with his passing skills and all the dirty work in the field, while Patxi Santos and Ian Clariño are rock-solid in protecting the backline that made them one of the league's best defensive teams.

Of course, there's goalkeeper Ace Villanueva, the key in UP's seven straight clean sheets since the start of the second round.

Even the rookies led by King Miyagi are delivering the goods for the Maroons, who made this far even without ace striker Jinggoy Valmayor, who has already completed his playing eligibility.

“Our freshmen can really play with all-out confidence," said Gonzales, whose squad was hardly challenged in last week's 3-0 semifinals win against University of Santo Tomas.

Coach JP Merida, who played for Ateneo's three championships from 2004-06, knows that his troops are bracing for a tough battle against their Katipunan neighbors.

"UP is a very organized, in defending and attacking," said Merida. "Since this is the last game, we need to give our all, our best."

The Eagles are hoping to give set piece specialist Mikko Mabanag, a grand sendoff on his final collegiate game.

"Leader talaga si Mikko," said Merida, who will also bank on rookie Jarvey Gayoso, Masu Yoshioka, Julian Roxas and goalie JP Oracion, the hero of Ateneo's semifinal win over La Salle in the penalty shootout last week.

A victory will give the Eagles a morale booster after their women's volleyball team failed to defend the throne against the Lady Spikers last Saturday.