The Tradition that is the Ateneo-La Salle UAAP Games

And then there were two.

The Ateneo-La Salle matches are always the most exciting ones in a UAAP season even surpassing that of the best of three finals (that is, if they're not competing head to head for the top positions as well, which is far more exciting because of the risk of the UAAP crown and the bragging rights the school gets). With the suspension last year, I was both happy that there is justice and disappointed because I wouldn't be able to see the arch-enemies and rivals play.

I remember when I was a freshman (at ADMU) and got the chance of watching the two championship games we won (Hey, I got to sing the school song so proudly I literally held my head high). You can really feel the school spirit inside the the Araneta Coliseum where it's all green and blue and the crowds roar with every shot and are tense with every second. People outside would know by the looks of the faces of the audience which school won when the spectators rush out of the arena after the final scores have been announced.

It's always hard to get tickets on at least two games/season that the two teams beat each one out. So sometimes, it's better watching them on TV than being stuck in the traffic in Cubao before and after the game. But given the chance, I'd still watch it live because it's really different when you're THERE.

I was able to catch the first and last few minutes of the game last Thursday when it ended with an overtime. I was in a hurry to go home so didn't watch the OT anymore.

Anyway, we won! Yehey! UAAP is not UAAP without Ateneo-La Salle games (admit it non-Ateneans and non-LaSallites!). There were smale scale betting in the office. So many who went to the pantry on the last minutes of the game. Watching it on TV with fellow Ateneans and LaSallites was enjoyful. Our team should do more practice so that we'll still win on the next game. Make us proud!

I have nothing wrong against La Salle. It's all a game, no more and nothing personal. At the end of the day, La Salle was sorely missed last season so welcome back and see you in the next game!

This is THE UAAP tradition- Ateneo-La Salle games. When everyone gathers in front of the TV and cheer for their teams! There will always be betting, the whole family going to the Araneta and filling it up at the few rare occasions, politicians and stars watching the game, scalpers with overpriced tickets (how did they manage to have their hands on those tickets? Insider perhaps), fights among players during and outside the games, shouting and cursing of the coaches which eventually lead to technical fouls, students and alumni buying player jerseys and jackets and wearing face paint, kids who haven't reached high school but have been exposed and are trained to side with a team, some people taking it too personally while others are indifferent. I'm loving all of these.

ONE BIG FIGHT!