Premium playdate: Blue Eagles, Green Archers reignite fabled feud

Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

2:30 p.m. — Adamson vs NU

6 p.m. — Ateneo vs La Salle

Expect fireworks when league-leading Ateneo de Manila University and defending champion De La Salle University rekindle their storied rivalry in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 men’s basketball tournament today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

All eyes will be on the featured clash at 6 p.m., with the Blue Eagles seeking a third straight win to take the solo lead while the Green Archers aim to steady their campaign after blowing hot and cold.

Ateneo is brimming with confidence after claiming back-to-back victories for a 3-1 win-loss record atop the standings, tied with idle Far Eastern University.

The Blue Eagles outlasted National University (NU), 87-76, rallying from 17 points down for the season’s biggest comeback win.

Interim head coach Louie Alas is stoked to experience the Philippines’ celebrated collegiate basketball rivalry.

“Even before, when we’re just watching the game without favoring any team, that excitement is there. You can’t really describe that excitement. For me, this is the premier game here in the Philippines — the Ateneo-La Salle game,” Alas said.

“You can’t compare it to any other rivalry game here. This is the premier game,” he added.

The Blue Eagles’ winning run primed the team for the marquee match, especially for newcomers who have yet to experience the spotlight against a sea of green and blue backdrop.

Kieffer Alas, who played for La Salle-Zobel in high school, will lead the battle alongside veterans Jared Bahay, Andrew Bongo and Shaun Tuano.

“Honestly, I don’t know, because I’m still a rookie, but we’ll just wait and see. But we’re just going to make sure that we’re locked in and prepared for that,” said Kieffer Alas, whose 10-point outburst in the last two minutes fueled Ateneo’s shocker over the Bulldogs.

One-and-done big man EJ Kapihe is also pumped up for the challenge.

“I’m just very excited to go on that court and battle the game with my brothers. It’s just like any other game, it’s gonna be 40 minutes. We’re gonna have an equal amount of time to put the ball in the basket to try and win. I’m excited, I know it’s gonna be a crazy atmosphere. I just can’t wait to go out there again with my brothers,” Kapihe said.

The Green Archers halted a two-game slide with a 112-87 rout of University of the East last Sunday for an even 2-2 record tied with NU, University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines.

Despite a shaky start, La Salle remains dangerous, and more so facing Ateneo. The two teams split their head-to-head last year.

Interestingly, it’s the first time for Green Archers coach Topex Robinson to go head-to-head against former Ateneo deputy Louie Alas, whom he worked with before in Alaska and Phoenix in the Philippine Basketball Association.

“As a whole, every Ateneo-La Salle game is a different animal. It doesn’t matter where you are at the standings. It doesn’t matter who you’re up against on the other side of the bench. It’s always gonna be something that we look forward to,” Robinson said.

Robinson will be pinning his hopes on Jacob Cortez, Mason Amos, Doy Dungo, Luis Pablo, Earl Abadam and big man Henry Agunanne to power La Salle to score its first consecutive wins of the season.

Meanwhile, Adamson University wants to start a win streak when it squares off against NU at 2 p.m.

The Falcons rout the Tigers, 85-57, last Saturday for a 2-1 slate in solo third.

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are looking to get back on the winning track after seeing their back-to-back romp snapped in their previous outing.