by Millie Banan
Blue and Green loyalists, basketball aficionados and supporters marched to the inaugural Kalayaan Basketball Festival to cheer for their Teams. But the excitement obviously came out from the La Salle – Ateneo rivalry in the Philippines relived at the Blacktown Leisure Centre on June 15th. The colours green and blue dominated the grandstand and the hard court. Unaffiliated on-lookers were forced to take sides and took part in the fanfare. Ateneo had blue metallic balloons and pompoms thrown in the air, Ateneo chants plus drums and La Salle had their drums, green banners and cheering squad. There was no mistake the Archers and the Blue Eagles are on the field with the large GO GREEN banner and the bold ATENEO letters held up from beginning to end.
La Salle overpowered Ateneo. Exhibition game it was but this will kick start a series of encounters between alumni and students of these 2 arch-rival schools, no doubt. La Salle fielded not only its alumni members and High School graduates/students but an uncle and brother-in-law basketball players to insure victory. Taking on the challenge, Ateneo banked on its young Ateneo Loyola College and High School graduates/students with children of Ateneo Alumni to complete the team. There no try outs conducted. The game must go on. And both camps formed their own teams in no time. Green and Blue or Blue and Green, these alumni groups definitely gave colour to the event.
The players – La Salle: Willard Manay, Emer Arago, Almond Banduria, Mark Inductivo, Don Aquiatan, Joseph Policarpio, Redmond Policarpio, Bob Leones, Michael David, Chris Somera, Benito Lopez and Roberto Chanco. Ateneo: Chino Audencial, Fidel Fernando, Joaquin Reyes, John Conrad Cruz, Andro Lopez, Denis Reyes, Joseph Reyes, Michael Almario, Jason Fernandez and Warren Andres.
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