MANILA – Despite enjoying the comforts of a solo lead, defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles do not plan to rest on their laurels.

The Blue Eagles are looking to clinch the twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four of the 72nd UAAP men’s basketball when they duke it out with the embattled Adamson Falcons at 4 p.m.

The battle will take place at San Juan’s FilOil Flying V Arena on Sunday.

“I hope we’ll come out with the same fire against Adamson,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black referring to his team’s fiery performance in routing the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 75-54, last Thursday.

“Our goal really is to win back-to-back championships and to accomplish that goal, we have to finish in the top two to get a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four,” Black.

Built on a traditional big man in Rabeh Al-Hussaini and surrounded by slew of perimeter players, the Blue Eagles were a picture of consistency on both ends of the floor. They racked 10 wins against a solitary loss courtesy of the giant-killer University of the Philippines.

The Falcons, on the other hand, are aiming for a respectable finish now that they only have a very slim chance of barging into the Final Four.

At 3-8, the Falcons’ fate is no longer in their hands even if they sweep the rest of their assignments.

In the first game at 2 p.m., the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers (5-5) try to move closer to a Final Four stint as they battle the cellar-dwelling Bulldogs (2-9).

A win by the Tigers will move them two games away from clinching a ticket to the next round and widening the gap between them and their closest rival De La Salle Green Archers (4-7).

But the Tigers, who scored a 104-89 blowout win against the Bulldogs in the first round, should be wary of an upset.

Aside from playing spoiler, the pressure is off NU as it was already out of contention for the eighth straight year.

Tigers’ senior wingmen Dylan Ababou and Khasim Mirza, who average a combined 35.6 points per game, ware expected to lead the team in their final year in the collegiate ranks.

“Gusto nilang umalis sa UST na may maiiwang magandang alaala. Kaya ibnubuhos na nila ang lahat,” said Tigers’ coach Pido Jarencio.

Jarencio said he wants a better defensive game from his offensive-minded team going to the homestretch of eliminations.

Ateneo and UST are also zeroing on Final Four berths in the juniors play as they take on separate opponents in the morning action at FilOil Flying V Arena.

The defending champion Blue Eaglets will take on winless UP Integrated School Junior Maroons at 9 a.m. while the Tiger Cubs square off with NU Bullpups at 10:45 a.m.

A heavy four-game bill is also scheduled in women’s play at the FEU gym in Morayta starting at 9 a.m. Meanwhile, the third weekend of Badminton also gets underway in Rizal Memorial Badminton Court starting at 9 a.m. Alder T. Almo

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