Tentative date for first Ateneo-La Salle game on October 4

Naveen Ganglani

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Tentative date for first Ateneo-La Salle game on October 4
The next chapter of the historic rivalry between La Salle and Ateneo will have to wait until well into the first round

MANILA, Philippines – Fans of the DLSU Green Archers and Ateneo Blue Eagles may have to wait a while before seeing the two historic UAAP rivals go head to head for the first time in the collegiate league’s 78th season.

A source has told Rappler that Ateneo and La Salle, both of whom are considered to be contenders for this year’s UAAP men’s basketball title, will have their first round matchup on October 4, Sunday, at 4:00 pm at the Mall of Asia Arena – close to a month after the opening of the UAAP season on September 5, Saturday.

It’s important to note that schedule is still not completely assured, as the UAAP will still have to agree on a final overall schedule for the first round after reviewing many factors such as arena availability, TV availability, and possible clashes with schedules of university events in the league’s participating schools.

Both the Green Archers and Blue Eagles are coming off disappointing campaigns last UAAP season.  

La Salle saw their championship defense come to an end on a game-winner by Mac Belo that sent FEU to the finals. Ateneo, on the other hand, lost in the Final Four round as a number one seed despite having a twice-to-beat advantage against NU, who went on to win the league title.

2015 will mark the final season of eligibility for reigning UAAP MVP Kiefer Ravena, whose team will be without Chris Newsome and Nico Elorde, but have new additions in Hubert Cani and Jerie Pingoy. 

Arvin Tolentino, last season’s Rookie of the Year, is also expected to return, and take a heavier load with the absence of Thirdy Ravena. 

La Salle, meanwhile, will have to make do with the departures of Arnold Van Opstal, Almond Vosotros, and Norbert Torres.  

Standouts Jeron Teng and Jason Perkins will come back to a team that adds a handful of notable high school recruits in Andrei Caracut, Lorenzo Navarro, Jollo Go, and John Gob.  

The Green Archers are also expected to welcome newcomer Joshua Torralba, but the eligibility of Ben Mbala is still in question after he participated in an exhibition game – a violation of UAAP rules for players serving residency – in General Santos City a few months back. 

The source also told Rappler it’s possible that the UAAP Cheerdance Competition, which is traditionally held at the end of the men’s basketball second round games, could take place by the end of the first round this year, with October 3, Saturday, as a potential date. – Rappler.com

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