The Rivalry has brought out the best of the student-athletes from La Salle and Ateneo.
Though the protagonists involved will never admit it, the UAAP games pitting rivals De La Salle University Green Archers and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles are not just any other game — they’re a different beast.
King Archer Jeron Teng will be playing in his ninth La Salle-Ateneo game on Saturday, November 5. And it could be the last rivalry game he will play, unless both squads face each other in the Final Four.
Entering Saturday’s game, the 12-0 Green Archers will be the overwhelming favorites after lambasting the Blue Eagles 97-81 in their first round encounter — the first La Salle-Ateneo game Teng has missed in his UAAP career. For Teng though, the result and the record do not give them any reason to be complacent.
“I’m really happy pero we have bigger goals than sweeping this or 12-0,” the 22-year-old La Sallian said.
“We have bigger goals than that and that is to win the championship.”
However, the graduating senior plans to soak up every minute of Saturday’s game. Currently sporting a 4-4 slate against Ateneo, he will want nothing more than to end his UAAP career with a winning record against their bitter rivals.
“It’s gonna be special dahil iba yung atmosphere talaga pag La Salle-Ateneo. yun ang isa sa mami-miss ko sa UAAP career ko,” reflected Teng, who is averaging 16.5 points on 36.52 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.38 assists against Ateneo.
“It’s slowly sinking in, and it always reminds me to just give my best next game.”
And no one ever wants to lose to their rivals.
