THE Rivalry: La Salle & Ateneo
THE Rivalry: La Salle & Ateneo
It’s mad, out of this world and on a level of its own. It’s THE rivalry of Philippine sports that’s followed by both sports fans and non-sports fans alike. As one of Ateneo’s staunchest sponsors might say, “It’s simply amazing.”
At 4pm today, all eyes of the sports world will be focused on Game 1 of the UAAP finals between De La Salle University (DLSU or La Salle) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). While it may sound just like one of those ordinary college match-ups, we all know how it has gone well beyond the student-led cheers for the green and the blue.
But where do we start when talking about THE rivalry that will most likely never be matched in local sports history? Its followers? Incredible! For a rivalry between two schools, it’s amazing how fans and loyal supporters have ranged from the youngest students at the various La Salle and Ateneo grade schools, to high school and college students. But that’s not it. The louder and even more supportive followers of both schools are all those diehard alumni who are no longer connected with the school. They’re the professionals and businessmen who have moved on to bring their La Sallian and Atenean ideals to the real world.
One of the biggest factors behind the mad following for both sides is the excellent job that both schools did in instilling a sense of loyalty in its students. This loyalty, while being relatively shaky while being students, has grown to become rock solid after leaving the school and not being there anymore. It’s rather ironic how one is more loyal to his alma mater when already away from the school and out living in the real world for which he was educated and trained by his school. But where did this all come from?
The most basic source of loyalty that has driven followers for both sides is the excellent academic program that both schools possess. It has been proven that La Salle and Ateneo are better known as excellent academic institutions even before being known as powerhouses in sports. Just ask any recruitment officer of any company’s HR department how they treat applicants from Ateneo and La Salle and you’ll see what I mean. Alumni of La Salle and Ateneo realize now how valuable their college lives were, and the fruits of those four or five (or six or more?) years in college is paying off in their life after college careers. And one of the best ways to give payback is by supporting the school in its endeavors, with sports as the most visible priorities.
Remember that the rivalry started when the various religious orders set up their respective schools and were in a way competing against each other to tap the best possible students. The Christian Brothers of La Salle and the Jesuits of Ateneo set up their respective campuses in the heart of Manila in line with their apostolate or vocation of education. When both schools were operating, it was but natural for them to compete against each other and all those schools established by the other religious orders in terms of who had a better school. Academic programs, teachers and students were always compared against each other, and the big question was always about which school was better. Comparisons surged beyond the school-based years when products or alumni were then made to compete against each other in the business world. The question that always arose here was to find out who would make a better professional: a La Sallian or an Atenean?
And it all builds up to a rivalry that is obviously louder, more visible and more tangible to appreciate: the game of basketball. If we can’t prove which is the better school and which has produced the better professionals or businessmen, then let’s get it on in the field of sports. As Lupe Contreras would then ask, “Quien es mas macho?” For this year, the UAAP Finals will be the venue to answer this question. For those of us in Cebu, we’ll settle for the TV in the comforts of our homes while the loyal alumni of both sides huddle up together. One La Salle Cebu Alumni Association (OLSCAA) will be at the Hamabar of the City Sports Club to celebrate (or cry) together while the Ateneans will also have their own turf at the Andalucia room of Casino Espanol de Cebu.
In the end, THE rivalry shows how an excellent academic platform and a good sports program can mix and match, and have students and alumni strengthen their loyalty through time. As to which is better, would you rather be green or blue?
oOo
Time-out: Happy birthday to Nimrod & Nico Quinones. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
It’s mad, out of this world and on a level of its own. It’s THE rivalry of Philippine sports that’s followed by both sports fans and non-sports fans alike. As one of Ateneo’s staunchest sponsors might say, “It’s simply amazing.”
At 4pm today, all eyes of the sports world will be focused on Game 1 of the UAAP finals between De La Salle University (DLSU or La Salle) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). While it may sound just like one of those ordinary college match-ups, we all know how it has gone well beyond the student-led cheers for the green and the blue.
But where do we start when talking about THE rivalry that will most likely never be matched in local sports history? Its followers? Incredible! For a rivalry between two schools, it’s amazing how fans and loyal supporters have ranged from the youngest students at the various La Salle and Ateneo grade schools, to high school and college students. But that’s not it. The louder and even more supportive followers of both schools are all those diehard alumni who are no longer connected with the school. They’re the professionals and businessmen who have moved on to bring their La Sallian and Atenean ideals to the real world.
One of the biggest factors behind the mad following for both sides is the excellent job that both schools did in instilling a sense of loyalty in its students. This loyalty, while being relatively shaky while being students, has grown to become rock solid after leaving the school and not being there anymore. It’s rather ironic how one is more loyal to his alma mater when already away from the school and out living in the real world for which he was educated and trained by his school. But where did this all come from?
The most basic source of loyalty that has driven followers for both sides is the excellent academic program that both schools possess. It has been proven that La Salle and Ateneo are better known as excellent academic institutions even before being known as powerhouses in sports. Just ask any recruitment officer of any company’s HR department how they treat applicants from Ateneo and La Salle and you’ll see what I mean. Alumni of La Salle and Ateneo realize now how valuable their college lives were, and the fruits of those four or five (or six or more?) years in college is paying off in their life after college careers. And one of the best ways to give payback is by supporting the school in its endeavors, with sports as the most visible priorities.
Remember that the rivalry started when the various religious orders set up their respective schools and were in a way competing against each other to tap the best possible students. The Christian Brothers of La Salle and the Jesuits of Ateneo set up their respective campuses in the heart of Manila in line with their apostolate or vocation of education. When both schools were operating, it was but natural for them to compete against each other and all those schools established by the other religious orders in terms of who had a better school. Academic programs, teachers and students were always compared against each other, and the big question was always about which school was better. Comparisons surged beyond the school-based years when products or alumni were then made to compete against each other in the business world. The question that always arose here was to find out who would make a better professional: a La Sallian or an Atenean?
And it all builds up to a rivalry that is obviously louder, more visible and more tangible to appreciate: the game of basketball. If we can’t prove which is the better school and which has produced the better professionals or businessmen, then let’s get it on in the field of sports. As Lupe Contreras would then ask, “Quien es mas macho?” For this year, the UAAP Finals will be the venue to answer this question. For those of us in Cebu, we’ll settle for the TV in the comforts of our homes while the loyal alumni of both sides huddle up together. One La Salle Cebu Alumni Association (OLSCAA) will be at the Hamabar of the City Sports Club to celebrate (or cry) together while the Ateneans will also have their own turf at the Andalucia room of Casino Espanol de Cebu.
In the end, THE rivalry shows how an excellent academic platform and a good sports program can mix and match, and have students and alumni strengthen their loyalty through time. As to which is better, would you rather be green or blue?
oOo
Time-out: Happy birthday to Nimrod & Nico Quinones. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
Comments