Standings: UP 26 pts, Ateneo 25, DLSU 16, UST 14, NU 13, UE 10, FEU 8, AdU 0.
University of the Philippines scored a 2-0 victory over National University to become the first team to enter the Final Four Sunday in the UAAP Season 80 men's football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Fighting Maroons remained unbeaten in the season thanks to late goals by JB Borlongan and King Miyagi.
The Bulldogs were poised to drag them to a scoreless stalemate until Borlongan opened the scoring in the 86th minute.
UP then doubled the lead a minute later with a Miyagi strike from a Daniel Saavedra cross.
The Maroons, who made it to the Final Four for the eighth consecutive year, solidified their hold on top of the table with 26 points.
Defending champion Ateneo pulled off a 2-0 win over University of Santo Tomas to move on the cusp of gaining semis qualification.
The second-running Blue Eagles turned to reigning MVP Jarvey Gayoso and Koko Gaudiel to assured themselves of a semis playoff, improving to 25 points, one off the lead.
Gayoso netted his league-best 13th goal in the 13th minute while Gaudiel produced the insurance strike in the 86th minute.
The second round struggles continue for the Growling Tigers.
UST remained at 14 points, one clear of NU.
In the day's final match, Jeremiah Bernaldez delivered the late winner as De La Salle moved to solo third following a 1-0 squeaker over Far Eastern University. With the win, the Green booters leapfrogged over UST for solo third.