With four games remaining in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, De La Salle University has already secured a spot in the Final Four.
The defending champions, the Green Archers, dominated the Adamson Soaring Falcons with a decisive 70-45 victory last Saturday, boosting their league-leading record to 9-1.
La Salle’s momentum, now at six straight wins, shows no sign of slowing, especially with a much-anticipated rivalry matchup against Ateneo de Manila University set for Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The rivalry’s storied history adds intensity as the Green Archers prepare to face a resurgent Blue Eagles squad, currently riding a two-game winning streak.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Whether where you are now and what’s your standing, you just forget everything because it’s gonna be Ateneo,” shared La Salle head coach Topex Robinson.
“We know they’re also coming off a good run. Their guys are really picking up the system. Their staff are doing theirs with Coach Tab. There’s always gonna be excitement.”
Robinson emphasized to his players the significance of this iconic rivalry, saying, “We keep reminding our players that we watched those rivalries when we were growing up, dreaming of being part of that historic match-up. More than anything else, we’re excited to play our worthy rivals.”
Reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao stressed the importance of rest and recovery for the Green Archers, who played three consecutive games last week, as they aim to replicate their 74-61 first-round win over Ateneo from September 15.
Through 10 games, Quiambao has been a key force in La Salle’s title defense, averaging 17.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.0 steals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung mindset naman ng team namin is focus kung ano yung next and then prepare lang kami nang maayos pero before yun pahinga muna kami kasi pangatlong laro na namin sa week na ito,” shared the 23-year-old forward.
“Overload na yung katawan namin, ayun lang yung mindset lang siguro na every game treat lang as a championship game.”
Reflecting on the upcoming game, Quiambao added, “Nung nakaraang few games namin medyo pilit kami pero nothing but respect sa Ateneo, kay Coach Tab. Alam naman natin na kahit ganyan yung standing nila iba yung nilalaro nila pag La Salle kalaban so sobrang excited din ako.”
For the Blue Eagles, the pressure to represent their school in the rivalry is ever-present, but head coach Tab Baldwin remains focused on his players’ growth and development, an approach he believes will yield long-term results.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Because we had such a tough start, it allows us, I guess, to be a little bit more laser-focused on how these guys are growing and developing as players,” Baldwin noted.
“And we all know that the philosophy of the Blue Eagle program is that process yields results.”
Ateneo’s challenging 1-6 first-round record has now turned into a 3-6 card, tying them with Adamson and Far Eastern University for fifth place and keeping them in contention for the Final Four.
“There’s more pressure on the process externally because people want results,” Baldwin added, “but we will maintain, you know, our same integrity to the purpose that we always try to maintain.”
With both teams eager to continue their resurgence, this latest clash between La Salle and Ateneo promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in their storied rivalry.
