1st PBA Ateneo vs. La Salle Showdown
I watched the 1st PBA Ateneo vs. La Salle Showdown this afternoon pitting professional basketball players who were former Blue Eagles against former Green Archers.
The final score?
ADMU - 90 ... DLSU - 90
Yes, the game ended with the score tied at 90. No overtime was played because this was just an exhibition game. Oh well.
It was great seeing the core of the Ateneo team that won the 2002 UAAP Championship playing together again, plus Olsen Racela.
La Salle's squad on the other hand was a mix of greats and role players from the La Salle dynasty. La Salle definitely had the edge on height and talent - products of their runs as finalist to UST and of course, their 4-peat.
There were no snubs and non-invites for this. Both team's greats (thankfully non were currently injured) who are active in the PBA were part of it. No fights erupted as well.
It was intriguing to see how different (and the same, for some cases) the game the players play already.
La Sale controlled most of the game, building a decent 2-digit lead during the third quarter before Ateneo made a push. Strong plays from Carlo Sharma (La Salle's best player for the game) prevented the Blue Eagles from taking the game. Enrico Villanueva (Ateneo's best player for the game) on the other hand hit timely freethrows and carried Ateneo without much rest.
True, nothing was at stake except for bragging rights here so the Big Dome wasn't as packed as the previous encounter between the two schools when their were playing for the second finals spot in the UAAP last year. This didn't prevent the players from playing their hearts out though.
Can't wait for the next one.
The final score?
ADMU - 90 ... DLSU - 90
Yes, the game ended with the score tied at 90. No overtime was played because this was just an exhibition game. Oh well.
It was great seeing the core of the Ateneo team that won the 2002 UAAP Championship playing together again, plus Olsen Racela.
La Salle's squad on the other hand was a mix of greats and role players from the La Salle dynasty. La Salle definitely had the edge on height and talent - products of their runs as finalist to UST and of course, their 4-peat.
There were no snubs and non-invites for this. Both team's greats (thankfully non were currently injured) who are active in the PBA were part of it. No fights erupted as well.
It was intriguing to see how different (and the same, for some cases) the game the players play already.
La Sale controlled most of the game, building a decent 2-digit lead during the third quarter before Ateneo made a push. Strong plays from Carlo Sharma (La Salle's best player for the game) prevented the Blue Eagles from taking the game. Enrico Villanueva (Ateneo's best player for the game) on the other hand hit timely freethrows and carried Ateneo without much rest.
True, nothing was at stake except for bragging rights here so the Big Dome wasn't as packed as the previous encounter between the two schools when their were playing for the second finals spot in the UAAP last year. This didn't prevent the players from playing their hearts out though.
Can't wait for the next one.