Manila: University of Santo Tomas is expected to face a tougher challenge in its title defense in the UAAP Season 88 boys' football tournament featuring a record seven teams. Led by Stephen Flores and James Sunog, UST pulled off a 2-1 victory over Far Eastern University-Diliman in last year's final, ending the Baby Tamaraws' 12-year reign.

According to Philippines News Agency, the tournament kicks off 2 p.m. Saturday at the UP football field, with FEU-D facing newcomer Adamson University. "In the juniors, what happened to us was painful. First round and second round, we didn't lose. Only in the championship match against UST. It's still not lost, especially to me," FEU-D coach Jake Morallo said in a news release Friday.

Jerriemy Biton will be back too. He's looking forward to getting back this season. "We are hoping to bring back the crown. We know we can, especially with our squad. Now, we'll be working almost every day so I think we're ready," Morallo added.

Guest team Claret School of Quezon City and De La Salle-Zobel collide at 4:30 p.m. while Ateneo de Manila takes on guest squad PAREF Southridge School at 7 p.m. Claret hopes to improve its campaign after debuting last season with only one win in 10 matches, prevailing over La Salle, 3-2, on the final day of the elimination round.

La Salle is also eyeing a better performance after closing Season 87 on a five-game slump from the second round to the Final Four. Ateneo and Southridge last met in the Season 87 eliminations, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw that proved pivotal for the Admirals, who earned a crucial point to secure the No. 4 seed in the semis.

Meanwhile, UST and La Salle will square off at 2 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the same venue.