Buhay Kolehiyo: True Blue Eagle Over The Green Fields, The Forbidden Rivalry

    The La Salle-Ateneo rivalry has been one of the most intense, if not the only one, in the field of school competition. It traces its origins back when both were members (founding members) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association or NCAA (where La Salle still has a lasting presence via its sister school, the College of Saint Benilde). Even if both left for the UAAP, their rivalry never ceases thus born the greatest rivalry of all time.

    Just last Thursday, I was able to watch the 2nd to the last duel of the two schools live at the Araneta Coliseum with some of my blockmates. Even when we left the LRT 2 station, the intensity is so great as we see many clad in blue and green came pouring into the Big Dome even if it's already the end of the 2nd quarter when we arrived at the Araneta.

    We were on the general admissions section but the view's great as we can see all the action from up there. Meanwhile, you can still see the distinction of the Irish green and the Jesuit blue as the Dome itself is divided into La Salle and Ateneo territiory. Half of it marks the demarcation line that's why I never imagined that this kind of school spirit is so great!

    Initially, I don;t have any idea of who are the main players of La Salle, except for maybe TY Tang and Rico Maiehofer. The latter is especially an exception for I had an idea who he is when the girl standing next to me was all cheering for him and yelling that she wanna be his wife with a banner saying "RICO'S STALKER...CALL ME!". That was when i remebered one time when the announcer during one of the past Ateneo-La Salle games this season made remarks about Rico, calling him "Rico Mambo".

    Back in season 69, I already knew one of the players of Ateneo, Season 69's then fresher Chris Tiu along with then outgoing veterans, Doug Kramer, JC Intal and the other guy (LA Tenorio last played on Season 68 right?). Today, Norman's squad of biologically-enhanced super basketball crusaders are made of Tiu, and Kirk Long, Al Hussaini, Eric Villanueva (he's an Atenista right?), and others.

    It was on that Thursday that I found out which Jersey numbers should the Archers avoid, the number 17 (Tiu). The other players, among them number 12, I feel they have to avoid also. But it was Tiu's flaring performance (yeah, I admit, he really charged up against La Salle during the final 11 seconds) did the Eagles left a big lasting impression (or the other way around) on La Salle.

    Now, besiding the Archers and the Eagles, it'll all go down to a war between two people, La Salle coach Franz Pumaren and Ateneo coach Norman Black. Now, I get to know about Pumaren when La Salle suffered its first Atenista defeat this season, the next game everyone saw him and his stable bald as a symbol of their ambition to subdue Ateneo de Manila, which they eventually did after several ball games. Norman Black, I knew him since Seaosn 69. He looks like an overheating teapot waiting to burst as he looks so angry with a scary face to go with it. I'm not sure how he looks so calm before the game as I always see him on taray mode. He's like the Source of All Evil in the defunct series "Charmed" as even as early as Season 69 did I regarded him as Public Enemy No. 1, I wasn't even a Lasalista yet then but I was siding with the UST Tigers for I feel that ADMU should not conquer Season 69 , weird but true (Sorry Mavs and MR, I already have this impression of ADMU even last year).

    Don't get me wrong that I'm all out anti-ADMU. My ninong's an Atenista. I have a friend who goes to Ateneo High School (He's in New Zealand with ninong now). Actually I have 2 friends studying in Ateneo now. But of course, as part of La Salle Philippines, it just so happens I share the passion for DLSU to go over ADMU. But it's all for fun right?

    I understand La Salle's will to win, especially after a year of suspension did they have the itchyness to rule the court and hopefully reclaim the crown they lost after some controversies from Season 68 (or was it Season 67, as long as it is from 2004). That is why many feel that this Season, the underdog now is DLSU while many considered UST as the underdog of 69, and the team to defeat is Ateneo.

    Many if not all, would see Ateneo as an almost perfect school while La Salle has been increasingly known as a Chinoy university because of its large core of students of Chinese descent. No one knows why we say it as such, especially that Ateneo is almost a quarter century older than La Salle.

    Anyway, La Salle's bitter loss from Ateneo that day did not end the road for them as they have a 2-win advantage. Now came Sunday, a do-or-die situation as both faces elimination. Now, the Archers would never again fail their bid to conquer the Eagles as all eyes are set on the Eagles' main asset, Chris Tiu.

    Tiu has been constantly being double teamed up by the likes of Ferdinand, and Maierhofer so it became increasingly difficult for Tiu to perform his long distance shoot that have salvaged his team in times when they're even with the other team. He had no choice but to pass the ball on to his team mates. Offense is not exactly La Salle's favorite ally at that time as during the second 1uarter, they can't get a good shot at the basket and their current score of 16 was outnumbered eventually but that of the Eagles.

    I wasn't able to go in Sunday's fight but I did watched at the comfort of my home. By the third quarter, La Salle was able to recover and eventually lead the score in the 50's while Ateneo can't get out from their 40's score.
   
    Why is it so? Maybe because that La Salle was able to learn from past lesson to seriously maintain momentum especially when 4th quarter comes. The Green Archers gave their best defensive strategies and never let Ateneo beat them at all odds.

    Eventually with almost 10 seconds left, La Salle finally conquered Ateneo 65-60, a 5-point lead that effectively reversed last Thursday's record of 64-65. As they say, revenge is sweeter the second time around and it is sour the other way around.

    Nevertheless, WIN OR LOSE IT'S THE SCHOOL WE CHOOSE THAT WHY WE LIFT THE ANIMO SPIRIT.

    Good game to Ateneo and La Salle and hope we see another sensational game like that on next year's season 71!!

ANIMO BENILDE!