Philippine Sports News and Updates

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY SHOOTS for a championship sweep clutching key incentives in the UAAP men and women’s football tournament even as its volleyball squads aim for crucial victories Sunday.

The University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, sets its sights on a Finals stint in baseball, while its men’s tennis team aims to extend its unbeaten run in another hectic day of collegiate action.

Seeking their first championship in three decades, the Tamaraws take on the Ateneo Blue Booters in the men’s football Finals at 2 p.m. today, right after the Lady Tamaraws aim for a second straight women’s crown against the La Salle Lady Archers at 10 a.m. at the Ateneo Field.

The FEU booters only need to win once to capture the men and women’s football titles after claiming the twice-to-beat edge in both divisions.

“We’re more experienced than their players (Ateneo), but in terms of tactics, they’re more organized,” said FEU coach Rodolfo Alicante.

FEU and Ateneo ruled the men’s elimination round with similar 6-2-2 win-draw-loss records, but the Morayta-based contingent claimed the top spot and the Finals bonus due to a higher goal difference.

The Lady Tamaraws secured the women’s incentive after reigning with a 5-1-2 card, while the Lady Archers booked a Finals slot with a second-best 4-3-1 slate.

In volleyball, the top-ranked FEU eyes another championship berth against the University of the Philippines in the men’s semifinals at 4 p.m. today at The Arena in San Juan.

Just like the Tamaraws, the second-seeded UST only need to prevail once in its semifinal match against Adamson to advance to the Finals.

FEU also secured the twice-to-beat bonus in the women’s division along with Adamson, but both squads will dispute the top seed in a playoff at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The winner will clash against first-time women’s semifinalist Ateneo, while the loser will likely go through a tougher time versus defending champion UST in the Final Four.

UST also eyes a title berth in baseball when it tackles fourth-ranked National University at the start of the semifinals today at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark.

Adamson and UP, tied for second at 7-3, dispute the remaining twice-to-beat bonus in a playoff at 9 a.m.

In tennis, UST targets to sweep the men’s elimination round at 12 noon versus the second-ranked La Salle.

Completing the feat will award the Tigers, who remain unbeaten in seven games, the twice-to-beat advantage in the Finals. Otherwise, the top two seeds will battle in a best-of-three championship series.

UST also intends to stay on top in the women’s tournament as it guns for its fifth win in six games against the second-running Ateneo at 9 a.m.