MANILA, Philippines — Three-peat UAAP champion Ateneo faces an uphill battle before flying to the United States when it takes on San Sebastian today in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier League at The Arena in San Juan.

The Blue Eagles improved to a perfect 5-0 record in this preseason cage tilt by frustrating Bobby Ray Parks and National University, 71-66, on Saturday.

In that game, senior center Justin Chua scored 17 points while incoming freshman Kiefer Ravena added 13 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

But the Group A leading Ateneo cagers expect a tight and exciting showdown with San Sebastian, which is currently in second spot with a 2-1 record.

The Stags, behind current stars of the PBA D-League's NLEX Road Warriors in Calvin Abueva, Ian Sanggalang and Ronald Pascual, overcame a double-digit deficit to stun NU, 81-74, on Wednesday.

After the game, Ateneo will travel to the United States to begin its threeweek long training in preparation for a rare UAAP four-peat this year. The Eagles are scheduled to play some tune-up games in San Francisco then head over to Las Vegas for the Joe Abunassar Camp.

Gametime is set at 12:30 p.m. before Adamson, with most of its players coming off playing for Freego Jeans against Pharex yesterday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup, goes for its fifth straight win against College of Saint Benilde.

The Falcons, led by Eric Camson, Alex Nuyles and Lester Alvarez, survived Emilio Aguinaldo College's upset bid for a 57-54 win on Saturday.