MANILA – Adamson University will kick off its title defense on Sunday against Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D) in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 boys' basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Game time is 8 a.m.

The Baby Falcons, bannered by Tebol Garcia, Vince Reyes, JC Bonzalida and Gene Carillo, beat the National University (NU) - Nazareth School Bullpups to claim their first crown in 31 years last season.

With the four moving up to the collegiate ranks, Adamson will bank on Finals Most Valuable Player Mark Esperanza, Earl Medina and Allen Perez.

“The mindset now is no longer about defending the title because that's over. They're thinking about the games. To defend the title, we have to be consistent first. Our approach is one game at a time," Adamson coach Mike Fermin said.

Leading FEU-D are Cabs Cabonillas and Marc Burgos, who played for Batang Gilas, the national youth team.

“For me, FEU is one of the title contenders. You cannot underestimate all the teams. But if there's a team that will always make you nervous, it is FEU. Right from the start, you need to be focused right away," Fermin said.

Denok Miranda, who replaced Allan Albano as FEU-Diliman coach, knows the tough challenge ahead.

“Of course, they're the defending champions. We had a short preparation. Their culture is there and they're still difficult opponents," Miranda, also head of FEU's basketball operations, added.

NU faces University of Santo Tomas at 10 a.m., Ateneo takes on University of the East at 12 noon and De La Salle-Zobel meets University of the Philippines Integrated School at 2 p.m. in the tournament, which also serves as a qualifier for the National Basketball Training Center national finals. (PNA)