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MANILA, Philippines – As far as Philippine sports is concerned, no rivalry is as intense or historic as that between Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University.
And while the basketball court has typically been the fiercest battle ground for the two schools’ match-ups, many of the more dramatic showdowns are now taking place in volleyball.
On Wednesday, February 18, the Lady Eagles and the Lady Spikers will meet at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, with Ateneo looking to secure a sweep of the elimination rounds while La Salle is hoping to exact revenge for their defeat at the end of the first round.
La Salle (12-1) is also looking to reestablish themselves as the volleyball powerhouse that dominated the UAAP earlier this decade, winning three straight championships from 2011-13 (the last two at Ateneo’s expense) before being upset by Ateneo in 2014.
(IN PHOTOS: Kiefer Ravena, Alyssa Valdez at the PSA Awards)
Ateneo basketball standout Kiefer Ravena, who accompanied star Lady Eagles spiker Alyssa Valdez to the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards on Monday, concedes that the volleyball rivalry has eclipsed that of basketball for now.
“I think it’s more intense in watching the volleyball,” said the reigning UAAP MVP Ravena.
“It’s going to be a treat for the fans, especially La Salle is going for something they don’t want Ateneo to get, that sweep. But Ateneo is not going to give it that easy as well.
“It’s going to be neck and neck to see who is the better team, who prepared the best. Both teams are capable of beating the other, it’s just a matter of who executes the game plan better.”
For Ateneo, a sweep would give them automatic entry to the finals with a thrice to beat advantage, which would put them in prime position to repeat as UAAP volleyball queens.
But much has changed since their last meeting on January 11 as Ateneo has paid dearly for their success with injuries. Rookie Bea de Leon has been sidelined by a finger injury, while Aeriel Patnongon and Maddie Madayag are dealing with ankle sprains.
“I think La Salle would be definitely La Salle,” said Valdez of the team that won 3 straight UAAP titles from 2011-2013. “Every time they have their experience, they have all the advantages. For us, we had so many injuries lately, so I think La Salle is La Salle. They will definitely give us a very good fight and we’re hoping lang (only) for the best.”
If the Lady Eagles are not at their best form, it didn’t show on Sunday when they downed the winless University of the East in straight sets for their 13th straight win. Ateneo did appear disorganized at times in the first two sets and fell behind 20-9 in the third set, but their superior talent pulled them through.
La Salle, on the other hand, is looking like a serious title threat thanks to the strong play of Ara Galang, Desiree Cheng and Mika Reyes. The Lady Spikers had little difficulty dispatching Adamson University on Sunday in four sets.
When asked whether volleyball or basketball was the more intense rivalry between the two schools, Valdez was initially reluctant before agreeing with her long-time friend Ravena.
“I think it’s only a different vibe. Kasi for basketball it’s really parang (like) the alumni, everyone from Ateneo, the students, everyone’s watching. But then for volleyball, all the fans from different places are there. I think it’s the same rivalry but there are just different kinds of audiences.”
While the Lady Eagles are the belles of the UAAP ball so far, Valdez knows that they can’t afford to relax.. They’re no longer league underdogs; they’re now the reigning champions with targets on their backs.
“We’re hoping that it’s going to be a dynasty, but then we’re looking forward. We’re just looking one game at a time, one tournament at a time, so definitely it’s a long way to go,” said Valdez. – Rappler.com
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