Crowd return brings ‘added energy’ Ateneo-La Salle showdown

Crowd during the Ateneo-La Salle match in the UAAP Season 84. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo and La Salle, the fiercest rivals in Philippine sports, relished the return of their fans after their second round showdown drew the biggest crowd attendance yet in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.

Still in unprecedented times with the ongoing pandemic and as the first UAAP basketball playdate held on Holy Tuesday, 11,124 spectators flocked the rivalry match, where the Blue Eagles unleashed another explosive third quarter to complete an elimination round sweep of the Green Archers, 75-68, to stay unbeaten in eight games.

The usual sea of Blue and Green crowd turned into pink-clad fans after school presidents Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ of Ateneo and Bro. Bernie Oca, FSC of La Salle encouraged their students and alumni to wear pink in support of Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential bid.

Coach Tab Baldwin, who asserted his mastery of La Salle winning their seventh straight game against their rivals since 2018, appreciated the energy of their supporters, even the Green Archers crowd.

“Great to have the fans back. That’s been a long since we’ve seen that, felt that great job you know by both La Salle fans, and the Ateneo fans it was a great environment certainly something we’ve missed a lot,” Baldwin said.

Ateneo guards Gian Mamuyac and SJ Belangel, who scored 15 points to keep their team unbeaten, enjoyed the kind of atmosphere brought by the fans of both schools after their first round duel was still played behind closed doors.

“Well, we missed this kind of feeling that when you come out of the dugout, fans are already shouting. And also the drums, it really brings the game to a different atmosphere,” said Mamuyac after their game.

“Actually we were already pumped up (ahead of the game), but hearing all the drums and all the fans who flocked the arena pumped us up even more. With the performance for today I think all players did a good job, not just me, it’s everyone who distributed in this game,” added Belangel.

‘ADDED ENERGY’

La Salle’s Evan Nelle and Benjamin Phillips. UAAP PHOTO

La Salle transferee guard Evan Nelle, who experienced the San Beda-Letran rivalry in his past seasons as a Red Lion in NCAA, was amazed with the atmosphere of the UAAP rivalry.

“It was nerve-wracking seeing the crowd. I didn’t distinguish which is which. I don’t know where to look since they didn’t wear blue and green,” said Nelle, who scored 20 in the loss.

“But it was a really fun experience because this is the best rivalry in Philippine sports.”

Coach Derick Pumaren also appreciated the Green Archers’ supporters even after absorbing another defeat to the Blue Eagles and dropped to 5-3, good for third in the standings.

“That’s an added energy, added motivation for the guys, even for me. It gets you more excited with the crowd and I’m happy the crowd is back,” Pumaren said.

Nelle hopes they will face the Blue Eagles again this season in a bigger stage with higher stakes on the line. 

“I hope this season we’ll get to face them again with full capacity fans,” he said.