For nearly four decades, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University have given Philippine collegiate basketball some of its most memorable games, personalities, and storylines.
On Wednesday, the Blue Eagles and Green Archers will add another chapter to that history when they meet for the 100th time in men’s basketball since 1986.
Ateneo enters the milestone matchup with a razor-thin 50-49 lead in the all-time series, a fitting record for a rivalry that has rarely given either side much breathing room.
From championship classics to controversial transfers, here are five moments that helped shape “The Rivalry.”
1988: The First Finals
The rivalry took on a different dimension in 1988, when Ateneo and La Salle met in the UAAP Finals for the first time.
Ateneo entered the championship game with the twice-to-beat advantage, having beaten La Salle, 73-72, in their second-round meeting.
The Blue Eagles, coached by Fritz Gaston and led by Jun Reyes, Danny Francisco, and Alex Araneta, faced a La Salle squad coached by Derrick Pumaren and featuring Dindo Pumaren, Joey Sta. Maria, Johnedel Cardel, Dickie Bachmann, Teddy Monasterio, and Eddie Viaplana.
At the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Ateneo prevailed, 76-70, to retain the championship and complete back-to-back titles.
For all the rivalry’s NCAA roots, this was the game that gave Ateneo-La Salle its first championship chapter in the UAAP.
It was the beginning of a rivalry that would eventually become synonymous with the league itself.
1999: The Transfer
Long before Mason Amos made headlines by transferring from Ateneo to La Salle, BJ Manalo had already crossed the most emotionally charged line in Philippine collegiate basketball.
A former Ateneo Blue Eaglet, Manalo chose to continue his collegiate career with the Green Archers, a decision that immediately drew attention because of the rivalry between the two schools.
Manalo eventually became a key player for La Salle and was part of the Green Archers’ championship-winning teams, turning what initially looked like a controversial transfer into an important chapter of his basketball career.
His move also established a theme that would surface again years later: in the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry, few things are more provocative than seeing one of your own stars suit up for the other side.
2002: The Block
If the 1988 Finals established the rivalry, the 2002 championship series helped turn it into legend.
La Salle entered the season as the undisputed powerhouse, winning its first 13 games and coming within one victory of sweeping the elimination round.
Ateneo spoiled that perfect run, beating the Green Archers in their final elimination-round meeting before the two schools collided again in the Finals.
Game 1 produced one of the most iconic sequences in UAAP history.
With the score tied at 70-all, Ateneo’s Larry Fonacier came up with two crucial defensive plays on La Salle’s Mac Cardona, blocking his attempts and preserving a 72-70 Blue Eagles victory.
The sequence became known simply as “The Block.”
Ateneo went on to win the Finals in three games, taking the decider, 77-70, and ending a 14-year championship drought.
For La Salle, the loss also ended its bid for a fifth consecutive title.
For Ateneo, it was the championship that changed the balance of the rivalry.
2017: The Decider
Fifteen years later, Ateneo and La Salle produced another winner-take-all classic.
The 2017 UAAP Finals had already delivered two dramatic games.
Ateneo took Game 1, 76-70, but La Salle responded in Game 2 by erasing a 21-point deficit to win, 92-83.
Everything came down to Game 3.
Ateneo, led by Thirdy Ravena, Matt Nieto, Chibueze Ikeh, Anton Asistio and Isaac Go, faced a La Salle side headlined by reigning MVP Ben Mbala, along with Aljun Melecio, Ricci Rivero and Santi Santillan.
The Blue Eagles built an early advantage, but the Green Archers fought back behind Mbala and Rivero. The game was tied at 66-all entering the fourth quarter.
Then came the defining sequence.
With 24 seconds remaining, Isaac Go knocked down a three-pointer from the top to give Ateneo an 85-80 lead and halt La Salle’s late comeback attempt.
Ravena finished with 17 points, five assists, and three steals, while Go’s late triple became one of the signature shots of the rivalry.
2024: The Sequel
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
More than two decades later, history appeared to repeat itself.
Amos had been recruited to Ateneo as one of the country’s brightest young prospects and played for the Blue Eagles before making the decision to join their fiercest rival.
The transfer generated intense discussion among both fan bases, particularly because Amos would eventually have to face his former school wearing green.
After sitting out the required season, Amos finally played against Ateneo as a Green Archer, adding another layer of intrigue to an already heated rivalry.
The circumstances surrounding the two moves were different, but the emotional impact was strikingly similar.
BJ Manalo did it first. Mason Amos did it again.
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From Jun Reyes and Dindo Pumaren in 1988 to Thirdy Ravena, Isaac Go, Ben Mbala and Ricci Rivero in 2017, the names have changed across generations.
The rivalry, however, has remained remarkably constant.
And now, with Game 100 approaching and Ateneo holding only a one-game advantage at 50-49, another chapter awaits.
Photos from Ernie Sarmiento, Sports Weekly Magazine, and UAAP Classics
