After a grueling campaign with 44 matches played, Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University (FEU) have earned the right to shoot for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 men’s football tournament title on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Kick off is at 5 p.m. with both teams enjoying one win each over the other in the elimination round.

The Blue Eagles prevailed, 2-1, in the first round last 6 October while the Tamaraws bounced back, 1-0, in the second round last 21 November.

Moreover, this is the second time in three seasons that both teams have clashed for the title with FEU emerging victorious, 4-1, back in the Season 85 final in 2023.

Ateneo, which topped the elimination round with 28 points, booked its ticket to the finals after edging fourth-seed University of Santo Tomas, 2-1, last Sunday behind Leo Maquiling and Jet dela Cruz’s goals.

The Blue Eagles also have the division’s top two scorers, Dov Cariño and Maquiling, who have 11 and eight goals respectively.

JP Merida — now in his sixth season as the Blue Eagles’ mentor with championships won in Seasons 75, 79 and 81 — said it is back to the drawing board considering how Ateneo and FEU traded wins earlier this season and how both schools will be eager to reclaim lost glory.

“It’s a tough game for me,” Merida said.

“It’s an evenly-matched (game). We won (in the) first round, we lost (in the) second round. For me, this is a good match. (We’re) looking forward to playing well of course.”

“On the opposite side, we are looking forward to FEU playing as well (as us). So right now, the best thing is to prepare. We need to go back to the screen to check their style going into the very last game.”

Compared to Merida, the clash will be FEU coach Roman Oliver’s first trip to the final. However, this situation is nothing new for the Tamaraws, who are on their third consecutive trip to the gold-medal match.

FEU is coming off a fight-marred 1-0 victory over the dethroned University of the Philippines, which saw Season 85 Rookie of the Year Karl Absalon score a 76th-minute winner and Fighting Maroons coach Popoy Clarino and Tamaraws defender Mel Anthony Baylon sent off for their roles in a first-half scuffle.

“Well, it’s a very good feeling,” Oliver said.

“It was a tough match (and a) very emotional match. We played the second half with all the best players. They fought like warriors so I don’t even have to describe the feelings. (I’m) so happy, but now we have a final to prepare for next weekend.”