Baskets for Baddies: UAAP’s La Salle-Ateneo Rivalry

It’s hard to understand all these technical terminologies in sports, especially with no background. Whether it’s about the history of the sport, the important figures, the teams, or the players, it’s a real, tough challenge. Let our response be, “I’m just a girl.” (Or a guy, or a gay, or a lesbian, or queer.)

But don’t stress out—this is what I’m here for. If you want to know about the players or the collegiate league, here’s your guide to UAAP Season 87. Let’s talk about La Salle, Ateneo, and their long historical rivalry. Our first topic: MVP Kevin Quiambao.

Who Is Kevin Quiambao, you ask? 

Kevin Karl Quiambao, better known as KQ, is a veteran player from the DLSU Green Archers. He was Season 86’s MVP, while the green-and-white team was the champions. Let’s just say that if the world of music has Beyoncé, the UAAP league has KQ. (Thank you, Beyoncé.)

As of writing, KQ is still leading this season’s UAAP MVP Race. It’s the greatest award that they can attain as veteran individuals in the league. It’s like their very own Grammy Award or who got the biggest wings in the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. For KPOP fans, this is very much like a Daesang. 

But, of course, we should also talk about the DLSU Green Archers.

They are the first team to secure their spot in the Final Four with 9 wins and only one loss so far in the season. This is just like being the first one that Tyra Banks calls in Asia’s Next Top Model, but it’s that one model that slayed all the challenges anyway. They’re safe in the zone for now, but there are three more spots to fill.

Who are our contenders? Well, all seven teams still have their chances. But one team has everybody’s eyes on them: the Ateneo Blue Eagles. In Round 1, they only bagged one win. Round 2 has been a bit of a comeback with the birth of a new winning streak. It’s like Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are back together! (Well, that is if they keep winning every other game. Come on, we can’t lose Gwen twice.)

And if there’s an MVP, there’s also a Rookie of the Year award. It goes to the highest-ranking true freshman in terms of statistical points. Ateneo’s very own Jared Bahay leads this one. He’s like the UAAP’s Justin Bieber when it was still 2010. Everybody probably knows him, he’s talented, and he looks like he’ll be prominent in the league for a long, great time.

With the two schools mentioned, it’s also important to know that the green and the blue go way back. Don’t think dinosaurs–think Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift. It’s an old beef, but people still discuss and engage with it.

The rivalry goes beyond UAAP because it started when both schools were still in the NCAA. In the NCAA, all of the Ateneo-La Salle games were ones that basketball fans really enjoyed. It was always a close and hard-fought game. 

There were other more popular rivalries in the NCAA at that time, such as Ateneo-San Beda and La Salle-Letran. But when Ateneo and La Salle transferred to the UAAP, their seat-edging and jaw-breaking games continued, and the media officially considered them rivals in the league.

The La Salle-Ateneo feud has been one of the most-watched games in the history of UAAP. People of all ages surround the arena, cheering for their schools. It’s like NSYNC had a concert in collaboration with One Direction and Frozen: The Musical. The best time to experience this iconic rivalry is to catch their game on Saturday, October 26, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. You’ll see how passionate the Eagles and the Archers fans are. 

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