Pimentel on UP vs Ateneo Game 1: ‘May the best team win’

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Saturday sent his regards to both the Ateneo de Manila (ADMU) Blue Eagles and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons as they see action in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball Finals.

“May the best team win, win fairly. Sana walang masaktan kasi may careers yung mga [players] sa future. Sana play fair. Sana play clean. (May the best team win, win fairly. I hope no one will get hurt because these players have careers in the future so I hope they play fair and they play clean.)” he told DWIZ.

Pimentel has roots in both Ateneo and UP. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree major in Mathematics in 1985 from Ateneo’s College of Arts and Sciences and graduated from the UP College of Law in 1990.

Pimentel said he originally planned to watch game one live seated at the Ateneo side and then transferring to the UP side for game two. However, he said, he failed to get game tickets.

“Ang plano ko sana game 1, manonood ako sa Ateneo side, game 2, sa UP na ako manonood. Sa game 3, absent na ako. Sa TV na ako manonood. Yun ang plano ko. Unfortunately, wala akong ticket,” Pimentel said while laughing.

(My plan is to watch Game 1 at the Ateneo side, Game 2 at UP side. On Game 3, I will be absent. I will watch the game at the TV. Unfortunately, I do not have a ticket.)

Game one between Ateneo and UP which has been dubbed as the “Battle of Katipunan”  will be this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.  /muf

Read more: LOOK: Ateneo vs UP UAAP Season 81 Finals schedule