MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) and University of the Philippines (UP) battled to a goalless draw at the start of the UAAP Season 78 men's football tournament late Sunday at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City.

FEU, which is aiming for a third straight championship this year, had a hard time finding the back of the net in the second half, thanks to UP keeper Ace Villanueva, who was rock-solid manning the post to preserve the draw for the Fighting Maroons.

"Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the performance," said UP coach Anto Gonzales.

The Maroons are dedicating this season's campaign to their late defender Rogie Maglinas, who passed away last week after a battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, or cancer of the skeletal muscles.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of Maglinas, who would have turned 20 last Saturday, before the match.

(READ: UP pays tribute to Rogie Maglinas with special touch on jerseys)

De La Salle University, meanwhile, needed two late goals to beat rivals Ateneo de Manila University, 3-1.

Rookie Jigs Cruz shattered the 1-1 deadlock in the 89th minute, while Gelo Diamente iced the victory for the Green Archers with a header in added time.

Greggy Yang opened the scoring for La Salle in the 22nd minute with a free kick, but the Blue Eagles leveled when Cristian Castillo nailed a head from a Mikko Mabanag cross just a minute later.

It was a double celebration for La Salle as the Lady Archers nipped the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 4-3, in the lone women's match of the opening day after newcomer Sara Castañeda scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time.

Action in UAAP football resumes at the Moro Lorenzo Field in Katipunan, with University of Santo Tomas playing Adamson University at 1 p.m., and National University battling University of the East at 3 p.m.

Both matches will be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports+Action Channel 23.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)