DEFENDING champion La Salle, with a quick turnaround from last Sunday’s hard-earned win over National University, plays Adamson in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The Green Archers know that the Falcons remain as Final Four contenders, as both teams shoot for a second straight win at 4:30 p.m.

Vastly-improved University of Santo Tomas also guns for a second straight victory as it goes up against Ateneo in the 6:30 p.m. mainer.

With its target on its back, La Salle knows that it needs to grind it out to secure its first back-to-back championship since winning four in a row from 1998 to 2001.

The Green Archers needed endgame heroics from reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao to complete a come-from-behind 78-75 win over the Bulldogs last Sunday.

Coach Topex Robinson emphasized the importance of focusing on the present rather than defending the crown.

“We decided last season that we wanna win the championship and it’s given to us now so we know the responsibility of being the previous champions and we kinda take that out of our vocabulary, we’re not defending anything right now,” Robinson said.

Falcons coach Nash Racela acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to a new season.

Adamson brushed off a sluggish start to spoil Sean Chambers’ coaching debut for Far Eastern University, 59-47.

“Sana (hindi na bad start) pero just like what I told you, I didn’t really know what to expect coming into the game,” Racela said. “Siguro ganoon din sa mga susunod na games, it’s really up to the players. They get a lot of freedom but at the same time, may responsibility that comes with it.”

Nic Cabañero has finally gotten a good supporting cast for the Growling Tigers to contend in the Final Four.

Mali’s Mo Tounkara and transferee Forthsky Padrigao were stellar in UST’s 70-55 rout of University of the East.

Padrigao will play against his alma mater for the first time. He won a Season 85 championship for the Blue Eagles late in 2022 before moving to España the following year.

Ateneo opened its season with a 61-77 opening night defeat to University of the Philippines last Saturday.

A victory will already match the Growling Tigers’ two-win output last year in Pido Jarencio’s return at the helm.

“Happy ako dito sa first game namin, ito yung breakout game namin eh. Basta sabi ko makuha lang namin ito, yung confidence tataas,” said Jarencio, who steered the Growling Tigers to a 2006 title.

Chris Koon’s status remains day-to-day after the Blue Eagles captain sustained a sprained ankle late in the first half against the Fighting Maroons.

Women’s holders UST, meanwhile, seeks its second consecutive win against Ateneo at 11:30 a.m., while Adamson also eyes a 2-0 card in the 1:30 p.m. duel with La Salle.

Also on tap are the junior high school fixtures between La Salle-Zobel and Adamson at 8 a.m., and UST and Ateneo at 9:45 a.m.