Maroons, Archers clash in Final Four preview

MANILA, Philippines -- University of the Philippines and De La Salle clash on Thursday in a key UAAP Season 77 men's football match which has a major implication in the semifinals seedings at the FEU-Diliman pitch.       

The Fighting Maroons seek the provisional hold on the top spot against the Green Booters in what could be a possible Final Four preview at 3 p.m.  University of the East and winless Adamson University collide in the curtain raiser at 3 p.m. in the penultimate day of the double-round eliminations.       

UP and defending champion Far Eastern University are in joint first place with 27 points, with the Diliman-based booters trailing behind in goal difference.  La Salle, the only unbeaten team in the tournament with seven wins and five draws, is running third with 26 points.      

If the Maroons gain six points in the last two matches, they will finish No. 1 in the elims and will face the No. 4 seed in the knockout semifinals. National University (23 points) and Ateneo (22 points) are slugging it out for the remaining Final Four slot.    

The Green Booters also need to collect six points in their remaining elimination games to become the No. 1 seed and avoid a possible semis confrontation with the Tamaraws.       

Starting this season, the semis and the Finals are now one-game affairs.      

Jinggoy Valmayor, who trails FEU's Eric Giganto in the best goalscorer race with 14, while the UP's main man, while Gelo Diamante will be La Salle's main source on offense.