When the De La Salle-Ateneo rivalry comes up in conversations in offices or socials, it can alienate those who don’t give a hoot about it. It’s like when golfers start spinning stories and those who don’t play the game just tune out.
But basketball’s age-old rivalry engages fans everywhere and the battle last Saturday was one of the most thrilling encounters to date.
There were the usual elements of the game that make it unique regardless of the team standings, the schedule and the strengths of each side. The Green and Blue communities turned out in full force, the bands and cheerleaders gave that extra ounce of spirit and the now toned-down ribbing between the two sides still surfaced, if you know where to listen.
What made this game engaging is the emergence of a new big shot player in sophomore Joseph Marata who canned two triples during La Salle’s 13-1 rally in the last three minutes. Marata gave the Archers the arrows they needed when all seemed lost. La Salle persevered to win, 66-63, after being down by as many as nine in the end game.
UAAP TV anchorman Boom Gonzales tells me Marata is the nephew of former PBA player Quick Draw Ric-Ric Marata, who won several three-point shooting contests and could nail a crucial trey when needed. That’s awfully good three-point DNA going through the Marata clan.
Ateneo couldn’t deliver the winning baskets in the stretch after hitting eight for eight in the first seven minutes of the fourth. In the end, Ateneo hurled wild heaves which La Salle turned into opportunities. Ateneo searched for that player who could give them that last chance to eke out a win and found none.
When the games are close and produce the fear of losing on both sides of the Big Dome, the rivalry usually unveils a big shot player like Marata. It’s not just about making the winning shots but burying those that can swing momentum to one side.
In recent history of the duel, Chris Tiu and Jai Reyes were Ateneo’s reliable snipers.
But one of the best has got to be La Salle’s Renren Ritualo, who carried the entire Green and White squad on his back in 2001 to win the title against Ateneo in the second half of Game 3.
Coach Joe Lipa once told me that when scouting for a scorer, you should ask: “Is he willing to take the big shot?” Take a close look at their eyes. You know they want the ball at crunch time and they are going for the basket. The defense will be all over them but they will often find a way to score. It starts from a steely resolve and confidence that the shot will go in no matter how awkward it was released or how many defenders they eluded.
Marata is just beginning to play in this storied hard court battle. But there’s no doubt he can take the big shot in a UAAP season that’s just beginning to reveal those who are brave enough to do so.