Ateneo and La Salle are setting aside their rivalry for a common cause
Former and current student-athletes from the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles and the De La Salle University Lady Spikers are set to battle it out for a a good cause in a charity game called “Battle of Rivals”. The event is presented by Rebisco.
“It’s a privilege to be with the key movers, players and teams that have propelled the game of volleyball to where it is right now,” Rebisco Vice President for Corporate Planning Rolando Delfino said Monday morning in the event’s press conference. “Philippine Volleyball owes its resurgence to the hard working student-athletes that we have right now, that has brought the game to a high level.”
All proceeds from the game, which will be played on Sunday, July 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, will go directly to the the scholarship programs of the Ateneo de Manila University Foundation, the De La Salle University Foundation, and the Rebisco Foundation, Inc.
Leading the opposing sides are Ateneo icon Alyssa Valdez and National Team skipper Mika Reyes for La Salle.
“Definitely, it’s all for the scholars and the fans so it’s going to be a happy and exciting volleyball match for sure,” said Valdez.
“Siyempre nandun pa rin naman ang rivalry, pero I’m hoping na the audience won’t give any negative interpretation sa mangyayari kasi ito ay for charity,” Reyes furthered.
The game will also see two of the finest liberos the two programs have produced go head-to-head as Denden Lazaro will suit up for the Blue and White while Melissa Gohing anchors La Salle’s floor defense.
“I think it’s natural for all of us na maging competitive. Everybody should expect na we’ll be competitive but fun at the same time,” Gohing shared.
“Like what Mel said, we’re all very competitive, but at the same time we’re gonna have fun with it. It’s for the fans, it’s for the schools, and the future student-athletes of the universities,” Lazaro added.
Completing the Lady Eagles squad are Jia Morado, Ella de Jesus, Amy Ahomiro, Maddie Madayag, Jho Maraguinot, Michelle Morente, Bea de Leon, and Fille Cainglet- Cayetano. Kim Fajardo, Aby Marano, Ara Galang, Cha Cruz, Michele Gumabao, Chie Saet, Paneng Mercado, and Cyd Demecillo round out the Lady Spikers-side.
Tai Bundit will man the sidelines for the Katipunan-based squad while 10-time UAAP champion Ramil de Jesus calls the shots for the spikers from Taft Avenue.
