The UAAP Season 88 men’s football tournament begins Sunday with three matches at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. Ateneo de Manila University faces Adamson University at 2 p.m., followed by the University of the Philippines (UP) versus University of the East at 4:30 p.m. The day ends with De La Salle University playing University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 6 p.m.
Ateneo, last season’s finalist, aims to improve under coach JP Merida, who said, “The target for Season 88 is to play the last game of the season and win that game. But coming from that, we need to show our best, and we will take every game as a championship. We’re looking forward to having a great season for Ateneo.” The Blue Eagles will rely on national team player Dov Cariño and striker Kofi Agyei.
UP, eager to reclaim the title lost to Far Eastern University (FEU) last season, will miss coach Popoy Clarino and key players due to suspensions following a melee in the previous Final Four. Clarino remains optimistic: “Our team is built on trust. We trust that whoever is left in charge or given the responsibility will step up to support the team in every way they can.”
La Salle aims to return to the Final Four after two seasons, while UST targets the championship, inspired by their juniors’ team’s recent success. UST coach Marjo Allado said, “Oo, yan yung target with the inclusion of some juniors na nag champion last season.”
Defending champion FEU will start its campaign Thursday against UP at the same venue.
This season reintroduces the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The top two teams after eliminations need only one win to reach the finals, while the third and fourth placers must win twice. The first round runs until November 23 before pausing for the Southeast Asian Games, with play resuming in January.