GAMES THURSDAY (Philsports Arena)
2 p.m.?NU vs UE
4 p.m.?Ateneo vs Adamson

MANILA, Philippines?In nearly every way, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles seem like a tougher contender than the Adamson University Falcons in the 71st UAAP men?s basketball competition.

Yet coach Norman Black sees the opposite even after Ateneo?s ego-boosting triumph over chief rival De La Salle University in the opening weekend.

?Adamson is a very big team, a very confident team,? said Black of the Eagles? 4 p.m. game against the Falcons at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

?They?re well coached. We lost to them over the summer, so we?re expecting a very tough game.?

University of the East, last year?s runner-up, will also vie for a share of the early lead against National University at 2 p.m.

?We wanted to get off to a good start,? said Black of his Eagles, who subdued the defending champion Archers, 79-73, last Sunday.

?The earlier you get that first victory, the better off you?re going to be as far as confidence is concerned. The sad thing, though, is we?re happy [Sunday] but we have to worry about Adamson because it played very well against FEU (Far Eastern University).?

Behind Michael Galinato?s 22-point performance, the Falcons put up a tough fight before bowing to the FEU Tamaraws via a slim 74-71 decision last Saturday.

?We have no go-to guy, but everybody is working very hard as a team,? said Falcons coach Leo Austria. ?I want them to understand the system we should run, and I think we?re getting there. We?re also developing their individual skills so it?s just a matter of time before we?ll be fluid.?

The Eagles will again turn to fifth-year guard Chris Tiu, who drew support from Eric Salamat and Rabeh Al-Hussaini in the end game against the Archers.

Elmer Espiritu stepped up for the Warriors by unloading seven straight points in a crucial stretch for a 78-73 victory over the University of Santo Tomas Tigers and is expected to lead UE anew.