The UAAP took a trip down memory lane on Saturday as the Season 86 collegiate volleyball tournaments took place at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The 70-year-old arena has witnessed many storied rivalries in Philippine sports, with the UAAP being no exception.
Ninoy was a venue for UAAP games, last hosting a basketball match back in 2007. In volleyball, the last match was in the 90s.
It was fitting, to say the least, that on Saturday, traditional rivals Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas duked it out in the historic stadium.
In the afternoon, the Tamaraws turned back the Golden Spikers in four sets: 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-15.
On the other hand, the Lady Tamaraws staged a monster upset against the Golden Tigresses in the evening: 19-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10, to complete the women’s Final Four cast.
To see the old rivalry alive and well, in their old stomping grounds, FEU women’s team head coach Manolo Refugia was happy – especially considering he was once a setter for the Tamaraws back in the 2010s.
“Yung rivalry na yan dati pa eh. Simula pa kay Coach Kid (Santos) and Coach Emil (Lontoc) sa men’s, parang… Nung naglalaro ako sa men’s team dati, talagang ang gusto ni Coach Kid noon ay matalo na sa lahat, wag lang sa UST,” shared Refugia, who succeeded in bringing FEU back to the semifinals.
He went on, “Kasi super close kasi si Coach Kid and Coach Emil eh, so ayun pa rin, close sila. Pero pag labanan na, talagang ganon.
“Ngayon, hindi nawawala yung rivalry. Napakasarap sa feeling pa rin na makita yung rivalry na umuusbong pa, dumadami yung fans pa rin, nabubuhay ulit.”
The women’s match-up drew 3,309 fans, while the men’s also had a lot of roaring fans clad in yellow and green shirts supporting their schools.
UST coach Kungfu Reyes also felt glad about the continued rivalry between the two schools, as he has been a witness and a fan of it since the 90s.
He even recalled the first time he saw the historic rivalry live, it was at Ninoy.
“Brings back old memories nga.
“I think nakapanood ako third year high school ako 1996. Nung first kong makaapak ng Manila, it was Tina Salak time for FEU, Roxanne Pimentel ng UST, sila Joan Butor that time,” said Reyes
Although they ended up on the losing side of the court this time, Reyes was still proud of how the Golden Tigresses – just like the Lady Tamaraws – are keeping the rivalry alive.
With both schools having clinched a spot in the Final Four, the possibility of them facing off in the postseason remains.
And that could be an epic series knowing they split their elimination round matches both in a five-set thriller.
“Despite of the loss, we’re happy na talagang nandoon pa rin yung tradition ni UST at FEU na talagang magbakbakan in the highest level nung capacity ng mga player namin,” said Reyes.
“Yung prestige, pride ng school. Maganda yung fair play nandoon so we’re happy na nandoon pa rin si UST at si FEU.”
