UAAP SEASON 87 comes in hot with a historic rivalry game between De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles during the second weekend of action.
Just last week, the Battle of Katipunan dominated the opening day. Now, in only the second weekend, the fans will be treated to another high level of competitiveness between two rival schools: La Salle and Ateneo.
The much-anticipated game will take place on Sunday, September 15, at 6:30 PM in the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, between the defending champions Green Archers and their opponents, the Blue Eagles.
The rivalry
In Season 86, the rivalry match concluded in a 1-1 tie, with Ateneo winning the first encounter 77-72, while La Salle rallied to defeat them 72-69 in the second round of elimination.
However, the previous season should not be remembered because these two teams come into this season with quite different stories. One is currently the defending champion, while the other is, needless to say, rebuilding.
Currently, the rival teams are in separate positions in the elimination round rankings. The Green Archers lead the rankings with a 2-0 win-loss record, while the Blue Eagles trail with 0-2.
Two different stories
DLSU’s previous game resulted in an 82-52 victory over the Adamsin Soaring Falcons. Kevin Quiambao, the UAAP Season 86 MVP, paced the team with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Topex Robinson, the Green Archers’ head coach, stated in a postgame interview that his team was not focused on the score. The team’s major goal was to retain the appropriate energy during their prior match.
“We’re just playing basketball. Again, we tried to keep the energy, that’s why we pretty much used everybody just so we’d have the same energy. That’s just who we are and what we do,” said Robinson.
On the other hand, Ateneo suffered a painful loss to the retooled UST Growling Tigers, who ended a 17-game losing record that included two losses to the Blue Eagles in the Season 82 Finals.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Aside from that, it was the first time in Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin’s tenure that the Blue Eagles began the season 0-2. However, highly regarded rookie Jared Bahay believes that patience is crucial for a young team.
“Sabi ni Coach Tab na building a culture is like building a house. So sa first, foundation muna. Hindi kailangan maganda agad, and you can’t leave pa from the foundation. Ang ibig sabihin ko lang, hindi naman kailangan na maganda agad,” said Bahay of their disappointing start.
Nonetheless, Bahay is looking forward to his first rivalry game and leading his Blue Eagles squad, which will attempt to redeem themselves against Quiambao’s Green Archers when the hostilities begin on Sunday.
For the time being, two questions remain unanswered: Will Ateneo finally win their first game of the season? Will La Salle be able to show that they are too much for a young, inexperienced team?
