UAAP: La Salle reaps the culmination of moments as it enters Final Four at Ateneo’s expense

The fabled Ateneo-La Salle rivalry closed another chapter in its story, with both schools giving its communities moments in UAAP Season 88 that they will cherish for a long while.

In recent memory, it could be said that two intertwined teams have not met for a matchup with serious fervor and implications. When the Blue Eagles won the championship in Season 85, their Taft counterparts failed to make the final four. Meanwhile, in the past two seasons, the Green Archers have gotten three wins over Ateneo, with the latter struggling in Season 87 with a 3-11 win-loss record. 

However, in this season, the air on the rivalry took new wind.

It was the retooled Lasallians with their prized transferees versus the mysterious Ateneans with their three one-and-dones.

When the two historic schools met for the first time on October 5, the game could be likened to two heavyweight fighters trading haymakers with a fiery refusal to let up.

The Blue Eagles threw the first big punch, when they garnered a lead as much as 33 points. Down but not completely out, DLSU threw everything at Ateneo in the last quarter, outscoring them 36-13. In the end, Coach Tab Baldwin’s men did enough to come out the first meeting with a victory, 81-74.

In round two, the next Ateneo-La Salle bout was supposed to take place on November 9. However, it was moved to the last day of the elimination rounds due to a typhoon.

Brushing the big battle aside, both Ateneo and La Salle went their separate ways and experienced different endeavors. 

For Coach Topex Robinson’s troops, after losing three straight games and seemingly loosening their grip on a final four spot, they were able to grab an important win against University of the Philippines.

On the other hand, despite struggling in the second round by losing four of their first five games, Ateneo obtained a win over Adamson to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Entering the final game day of the second round, the basketball gods could not have drafted up a better script.

Garnering a 6-7 record, Ateneo needed a win against their rivals to force a three-team stepladder playoffs; due to FEU winning against UST the game prior. Meanwhile, holding a 7-6 record, all DLSU needed was a win for an outright berth to the final four.

The hype at the start of the season, the fierce battle in round one, the on-court struggles both teams had to face all year–it all brewed up for a momentous occasion in which fans from both communities flocked to Smart Araneta Coliseum to join.

After a hotly contested first three quarters, both squads were deadlocked at 72-all heading into the last minute of the game. With Ateneo and La Salle being war-prepared due to their close games against other teams this season, it all came down to who can answer the call.

And it was Jacob Cortez and Mike Phillips who picked up the line.

Battling amongst the Atenean giants, Phillips picked up an offensive rebound for a second chance score to give La Salle the lead, 74-72. Subsequently, Cortez, after picking Jared Bahay’s pass to Dominic Escobar, went down the court and called for an isolation. Despite his recent struggles, Cortez confidently shook off his defender to rise up and swish in a bucket to ultimately put the game to bed.

Securing the last ticket bound for playoff basketball, Robinson took some time to reflect on the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry and the unpredictable season they have had thus far.

“These are the times that I was dreaming of when I was young, you know, watching Ateneo-La Salle games. I always tell these guys that, you're part of this moment right now. So, make sure that you're going to make lasting memories,” Robinson said.

“I just couldn't ask for a better situation than this. You know, we lost a lot of players from suspension and injuries, but we always stuck together. You know, we always make sure that we're going to remember this time. I was telling them, 30 years from now, you're just going to laugh about this. So, make sure you enjoy it. Enjoy your college careers because that's the most enjoyable part of your career as a basketball player,” added the champion coach.

For the graduating Phillips, the big man appreciated the support from both school communities in his last rivalry game.

“Both sides, Ateneo and La Salle, should be happy regardless of the loss or the win. It was just an amazing moment, seeing all these people coming together,” Phillips said.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News