Far Eastern University blanked listless Ateneo, 4-0, to forge a title duel with University of Santo Tomas in the 72nd UAAP men's football tournament Thursday at the Ateneo Erenchun Field in Quezon City.

Jason Cordova delivered two goals in the 26th and 61st minutes, respectively, while Glester Sobremisana (12th minute) and Filsan Akut (90th minute) also scored as the Tamaraws earned a trip to the championship round for the fourth consecutive season.

The Morayta-based squad improved to a record of six wins, one-draw and two defeats for 19 points to eliminate third placer La Salle (4-2-3 for 14 points) from finals contention.

FEU's win came on the day when UST defeated deposed champion University of the Philippines, 2-0, to nail the twice-to-beat incentive in the finals.

Mario Clarino (14th minute) and Nicanor Palacio (41st minute) scored a pair of goals in the first half as the Tigers remained unbeaten after nine games with a record of 7-2-0 for 23 points.

Both teams will play against each other on the last day of the elimination round on Sunday in a preview of the upcoming finals set for February 25. UST actually defeated FEU in 2007, the last time the school won a title.

In the other game, La Salle drew with cellar-dweller University of the East, 1-1. Michael Patao scored in the 39th minute to give the Archers the lead but the Warriors' Johnson Arboleda tied it in the 70th minute.

The stalemate derailed the Taft-based squad's chance of keeping their slim finals hopes alive. They improved to 4-2-3 for 14 points.

Meanwhile, the UAAP officially forfeited UP three games after it was found out that two of its players - Ghanaian Ayi Aryee and Nate De Guzman - also suit up in the ongoing United Football League which is prohibited under league rules.

The reversed games were the Maroons' 1-0 win over La Salle last January 28 and their 1-1 draw with Ateneo on February 7. The other game was a 2-1 loss to FEU last January 31.

All of these matches were given the final scores of 3-0. UP thus fell to fifth place with a 2-1-6 record for seven points.

Ateneo, on the other hand, climbed to fourth at 3-0-6 for nine points.

Meanwhile, UP stunned league-leader La Salle, 1-0, in Wednesday's football action at the Ocampo Field.

Kaira Dimacutac capitalized on the absence of the Lady Archers' main goalkeeper Hannah Ibarra because of an injury with a goal in the 58th minute as the fourth-placed Lady Maroons hiked their record to 2-1-4 for seven points.

La Salle, already assured of making the finals for the third consecutive time, suffered its first loss of the season and ended the elimination round with a 4-3-1 record for 15 points.

But the loss could very well hamper their fortunes in the championship round after FEU forged a virtual knockout match with defending champion UST for the other finals berth following a 6-0 blanking of cellar-dweller Ateneo in the other game at the Erenchun Field.

Ma. Sarah Sumalde highlighted the rout with goals in the 22nd and 33rd minute as the Lady Tamaraws (3-4-0) tied the Tigresses (4-1-2) for second with 13 points apiece.

These two teams will collide on Sunday at 1pm with the winner not only meeting the Taft-based squad in the finals but will finish the elims with 16 points and a twice-to-beat advantage.

However, a draw would give UST a spot in the next round because of a much better goal difference (+10) over the Lady Tams (+8). That scenario, though, would also enable La Salle to take the twice-to-beat bonus.

UBELT.COM