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Tiebreaker Times

Ravena, Perasol expect all-out war in their last Ateneo-La Salle game


The Ateneo-La Salle rivalry is the biggest collegiate rivalry in all of Philippine sports today.

In front of a jampacked arena and millions watching around the world, the rivalry has grown into a life of its own and make it must-watch regardless of the standings.

The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, after a slow first round – including a loss against La Salle in the first round, have churned in a four-game winning streak and make a run at a twice-to-beat advantage for the Final Four. On the other end, the De La Salle University Green Archers have been on a funk and are in danger of losing out on a playoff spot.

That’s what makes Sunday’s rivalry game pivotal for both squads with only a few games remaining in the UAAP Season 78 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

To add to that, what makes Sunday more special is that this might be the final Ateneo-La Salle tilt for Ateneo senior Kiefer Ravena and head coach Bo Perasol.

UAAP-78-DLSU-vs.-ADMU-Bo-Perasol-9312 Ravena, Perasol expect all-out war in their last Ateneo-La Salle game  - philippine sports newsPerasol, who has compiled a 1-4 slate against La Salle, emphasized the importance of Sunday’s game in saying, “Yung Final Four inclusion nila is at stake. They will come out hard.” The third-year Ateneo coach added that, “this is going to be Kiefer and Von’s last Ateneo-La Salle game. This is also my last Ateneo-La Salle game. This is going to be a battle for both of us.”

Going to Katipunan two years ago, Perasol did not know what to expect in an Ateneo-La Salle game. Statistics and standings are thrown out of the window as school pride takes over. Eventually, Perasol grew to embrace the tradition of the rivalry. “Well, tulad ng sabi ko dati, ako I just found out in the middle of that, kung sinasabi mong Ateneo-La Salle walang lumalamang,” he reflected about it.

For Smart Elite ambassador Kiefer Ravena, the Blue Eagles have to take advantage of the rust La Salle might experience after a two-week break from UAAP action. “They’re going to be fresh. We have to take advantage of that. Kami na bahala kung paano namin gagawin yun kasi fresh talaga sila and we got our feet wet [against UP]. Pero we have to play better than our game against UP.”

UAAP-78-DLSU-Ravena-9308 Ravena, Perasol expect all-out war in their last Ateneo-La Salle game  - philippine sports newsRavena, who has a 6-3 record against La Salle in his collegiate career, admitted that the Rivalry is one of the moments he will miss once he turns pro. “We have to prepare for it. It’s going to be one of the things I miss after the UAAP. As coach Bo always reminds us, it’s just a basketball game. With the crowd, we can’t be over eager and over excited. Kelangan lang just enjoy it,” the Ateneo skipper admitted.

Looking forward, the league’s leading scorer and assist man vows to give it his all come Sunday. “It will most probably be my last Ateneo-La Salle game so kelangan ko ibigay ang lahat. I’m sure La Salle is La Salle when they face Ateneo,” he said.

“All stats and standings aside, it’s going to be a grind-out game. It’s going to be a war. Everybody is going to come out Sunday afternoon and we’ll give it our best.”

Bo Perasol closed in saying that, “I hope it falls in our favor this time but I know it’s going to be tough.”

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