MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo renews its rivalry with University of the Philippines in the Katipunan derby to open the 80th UAAP men's football tournament on February 4 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The back-to-back title-seeking Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons clash in the final offering of the opening day at 4 p.m.
In other fixtures, Far Eastern University clashes with University of Santo Tomas at 9 a.m., while National University takes on University of the East at 1:30 p.m.
The opening matchup will feature two of the top national under-22 players in Ateneo's Jarvey Gayoso, last season's MVP, and UP's King Miyagi.
Gayoso was the lone goalscorer when the Eagles won the championship at the expense of the Tamaraws last year, while Miyagi's hat-trick powered the Maroons to a 4-1 romp of Ateneo two seasons ago.
Action resumes February 8 at the same Malate venue, with the Thursday televised matches between De La Salle and FEU at 4 p.m., and UP and UE at 2 p.m. Adamson University and UST collide in the morning match at 9 a.m.
The first meeting between fierce rivals Ateneo and De La Salle will be on February 15 -- a televised duel at 4 p.m.
The Finals rematch between the Eagles and the Tamaraws will be on March 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Women's division hostilities will kick off on February 3, as UP tackles Ateneo at 9 a.m. followed by FEU-UST tussle at 2 p.m.
De La Salle drew an opening day bye, as the Lady Archers will open their title-retention bid against the Lady Maroons at 3 p.m. on February 10.