The Clash Of The Upper Echelon: The Epic De La Salle - Ateneo Saga Continues

OVERWHELMING. Every De La Salle University (DLSU) vs. Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) game is always an event to behold. It truly is a gathering of elites: from the various personalities from different fields, up to the finest rising and upcoming Basketball players of our time. The atmosphere is so immense, as the stadium is filled with emotions steadily running high, and with countless voices shouting, screaming, and cheering probably louder than a pimped out ride with maxed out amplifiers and loudspeakers! Oooh! Like I always say, it's the sh*t right here!

Today, both camps have something in common (aside from being Elites): They both wore Yellow T-Shirts as a sign of respect for the deceased Former President Corazon Cojuanco-Aquino. Man, she was really a great person. True, she might have not been the best leader, but to be able to rise up to become a unifying symbol in the country's quest for defeating a dictator, man, that's really something. Granted that she doesn't really have a political background and know-how (aside from Ninoy back then), I guess she put up quite a commendable government. Well, from what i've heard from the commentators, Cory loves to watch UAAP games. Like Bro. Bernie Oca, FSC says, "She watches with us." The commentators, personalities, and people alike, say that this game is for "Tita Cory." Well then, for a person as exceptional as her, she deserves only the best, of course, she deserves the GREATEST BASKETBALL GAME, and of course, she would receive nonetheless, the GREATEST BASKETBALL GAME IN THE PLANET (with probably an exception to Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan's "Space Jam".) that can only be offered by UAAP's DLSU and ADMU. This game's for you, Tita Cory. I hoped you also had a fun time watching it as we did (I did, at the least. :P).

Of course, I know, you would ask, who won the game? Its Ateneo. Ok, I don't want to talk about it (Bitter? Haha!). The reason why I didn't want to put emphasis on it is because of this: Nothing much to talk about. It was a truly a phenomenal game, in the end, it all boils down to the "Heart". Both teams played with exceptional heart, but only that the other got the best. Infairness to Ateneo, they did pretty well to rally from a deficit, and surviving a late La Salle comeback with two three-pointers to send the game into Overtime. It was such a magnificent display of gallantry, heart, and even heroism (with the exception of the ugly turn of events between Bacon Austria and Freddie Webb that lead to some unsportsmanlike fouls). Just what you would expect from the greatest basketball game in the planet: No matter how great both teams are, one is bound to win, and the other, to lose.

It never ceases to amaze me, and probably never will, of how people, Lasallians, Ateneans, and outsiders alike, put so much emotion and emphasis on this epic event. Years have passed, but the passion, intensity, emotions, and the rivalry, remains the same, if not, intensifies with each passing day. Up to now, its still a mystery to me of how outsiders can actually appreciate and relate to the majesty and splendor of DLSU vs. ADMU games. I wonder: how can people who are not directly involved with the said institutions, with no or little prior knowledge whatsoever with the history of the institutions, let alone the history of the rivalry, be so immersed with the greatness of this event? Now that I look back at it, i'd relate it to this scenario: how could some historians and other Filipino nacionalistas (or whatever you call the Nationalists/Pro-Filipino Culture), be so firm and active about fighting for the so-called "Filipino Culture", wherein we don't actually know or we can't actually define what a "Filipino Culture" is. Weird, huh? Its like we are fighting for something we know nothing about, or something that we don't know if it really exists in the first place! For all we know, it could be just a figment of our imagination or something, right? How could you prove that the Filipino Culture exists? How do we know that the DLSU - ADMU rivalry exists? How can we prove that this great rivalry is significant, and that it exists in our current society?

I remember a session in our TREDFOR class about a related scenario. In class, our prof is actually disproving the existence of a student, and the prof asks the student how she can prove that she actually exists. She said a lot of things (of which some I can't recall clearly), like I have a name, birth certificate, and the like. In the end, it all boiled down to: "I am, therefore I exist." You can never deny the existence of something when it is present right before your eyes. You cannot deny something, even if it doesn't have a clear history whatsoever, if it is occuring right before you.

I think I can say the same for the DLSU - ADMU rivalry. No matter if the people, insiders or outsiders alike, even know about the history of the institutions or the rivalry alone. It is enough to see and feel that this event is actually sweeping the nation, and that its great and majestic existence cannot be denied. Although in a way, it is important to know about the past, we should never forget to put emphasis on the present, and what exists now. DLSU - ADMU rivalry is as real as can be. Someday, people, the future generation in particular, might also wonder about this phenomenal event. Whether or not this epic event will still exist in the future, all I know is one thing: we enjoy this event for the moment, for right now, this great rivalry's existence cannot be denied. No one can deny its greatness, its splendor, its majesty, for this is the REAL SH*T RIGHT HERE. So for all the haters, fakers, and f*ckers alike, all I can say is: go get a life, or go get f*cked by a horse or something. DLSU - ADMU is the greatest rivalry in the UAAP, possibly in the whole world (no joke, i've read an article about it sometime ago about this great rivalry reaching and being compared to other epic events). All I know is that it exists, and I know that its great, even if I don't know why the hell is it great. People have made theories, hypotheses, and the like, but never was there an actual "law". The hell do I care, as long as its existence cannot be denied, then DLSU - ADMU is the REAL SH*T RIGHT HERE.

Minor Game Analysis:

Plus +

> DLSU is actually exceeding my expectations. For a rookie class to get this good at this early stage, it truly is a phenomenal sight to behold. (FEU's current lineup that once boasted promising rookies took 2-3 years before they became a formidable team. DLSU is only taking the first round, so that really is an exceptional performance.) Kudos to Coach Franz Pumaren and their coaching staff, i've seen them train, and mind you, they're doing pretty well.

> Arvie Bringas is the REAL SH*T RIGHT HERE. A big man that can do it all: low post moves up to stretching the defense with long threes. He's also got a decent defensive game and a decent rebounding form. Still a work in progress, yet rapidly becoming a force to reckon with, ala LeBron James.

> (Christian?) Andrada is ALSO THE REAL SH*T RIGHT HERE. Three blocks early in the game, and two coming from Rabeh Al-Hussaini?! Wow! That's got to be something out there, Mr. "Tayshaun Prince" of DLSU. Looks like Rico's departure is minimized with this fella' right here, even if just on the defensive end. Who knows, Rico's departure might work miracles, for the rookie batch has more time to form their chemistry with each other, unlike having a Rico that will clearly consume a playing spot.

> Hyram Bagatsing has really gotten an UPGRADE from the last season. Oooh, I like his tenacity, hustle, and his flashy low-post moves since that game from UST. In this game, he's proved that he's consistent by showing (and scoring in the process) a couple of those moves. He's ala Cholo Villanueva, who came from a bad season to becoming one of the most "trickiest" players that paved way for a DLSU Championship and Finals MVP. Who knows, Hyram might just provide the extra kick to let us reach the Final Four, and hopefully, lock up a Finals position and hopefully face-off with the ADMU Blue Eagles. Hmm, if that's the future, it's something i'm looking forward to. ^_^

> Joshua Webb is PHENOMENAL in this game! I'm at a loss for words. I was really taken aback, seriously. Who would have thought that he could've played a game as great as that (I couldn't, could you?)? 10+ points, 30+ minutes actually well-spent, and with a tenacity and hustle of a heart-driven player? I salute and commend you, sir. ^_^ The swagger is a lil' bit too much, but as a man, I understand how important the swagger is. That doesn't mean that its right though. :P

> Correct me if i'm wrong, but I think Simon Atkins and Bader Malabes was actually good on playing the passing lanes. They were tenacious and hustling for the loose balls. I guess that's great, and every coach would commend a performance such as that. ^_^

Minus -

> Does DLSU have Veteran players? It looked like everyone were rookies. Ugh. An ugly display of performance of the Veteran players (with exceptional moments for some). True, the game wouldn't have been close hadn't been for them, but James Mangahas 0 out of 4 from the field? Others having low-scoring percentage? That's gross. Veterans got to step-up and lead the team, and not be that excessive baggage that will drag the team down on the standings.

> Joshua Webb's unsportsmanlike action/s. Dude, anytime you're up in an emotionally-high game, one of the things you can do to help the team is not to make a stupid mistake such as getting your emotions get the better of you. In short, WTF do you have to kick a player, and this ain't even soccer, suck*r. True, you are the highest pointer of the game, and it would've been a PERFECT performance. That single kick erased it all. Worse, our pride just got marred by that kick. Aw. That's a kick to our faces, if you know what I mean.

I guess that's all. Phew! A truly emotional game indeed! I guess the long post would give you a glimpse of how emotional I was during that game. Well the truth is, I was exaggerating a little bit, but I can't deny I was a bit disappointed and frustrated. But then again, this is what I like about games: It's like a legal World War, or if you want, a Gladiators' War, wherein people just kinda come with their battlesuits and get ready to conquer the nation. It's a war out there, wherein you stake everything, your pride, energy, and year's worth of training all in the line for that glory, fame, and victory. I don't know about you, but if you believe that man has an urge for violence or somehow looking macho, then I guess Basketball games and other Sports is the peaceful way to go. Men love competition, especially physical warfare. Besides, if you believe in the medieval description of man: that he's gotta be macho and everything, then you'd appreciate Basketball more. ^_^