The stage is set as top-seeded University of the Philippines (UP) and defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) clash in a winner-take-all final for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s football tournament crown on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Kickoff is set at 5 p.m., promising a showdown between two of the league’s top football programs.

It’s going to be the second finals meeting between the Fighting Maroons and the Tamaraws in just three seasons. UP claimed the Season 86 title with a 1-0 victory, thanks to Macky Tobias’ decisive penalty in the 50th minute.

With that, the Tamaraws will enter the match with the weight of expectations on their shoulders, while the Fighting Maroons carry the psychological edge of a perfect elimination round sweep over FEU.

UP has already beaten FEU twice this season — a commanding 3-1 win on 25 September and a hard-fought 1-0 triumph last 15 January.

Yet, for UP head coach Popoy Clarino, past victories are no guarantee.

“Ah, you can’t say that — that’s football. Anyone can beat anyone; you just have to be prepared,” said Clarino, whose side topped the eliminations with 29 points and ousted De La Salle University 1-0 in the Final Four thanks to Ramil Bation III’s free kick last 8 February.

Clarino is aiming to guide UP to its 20th men’s title.

He can rely on Bation III, who has seven goals this season, goalkeeper Fonzy Gonzalez, and defenders Jian Caraig and Cian Galsim for the decisive showdown.

“You have to set the standard higher,” Clarino added. “If there’s a bar, you break it and set it higher. You have to be accountable for every action. That will set us apart. We just have to be ready for everything, and we are excited to be back.”

On the other hand, FEU head coach Jake Morallo faces a tougher road.