Blue Eagles, Archers relive rivalry today

The country’s most fabled school rivalry will be relived today in a once in a lifetime sports encounter when the Fil-Oil - Flying-V "Ultimate Showdown: La Salle - Ateneo Basketball Classics" fires off at 1 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

The sports event, organized by the La Salle Green Hills High School ‘84 and Ateneo de Manila University College ‘82 with support from Total Phils. Corp., will have the Legends game that will feature star players from the 60’s to the early 80’s and the All-Star game showcasing the finest from the mid-80’s to 2004.

But the momentous event is not just an encounter between the best cagers from past to present of the arch nemesis with an incomparable rivalry in the collegiate ranks, but will mean a lot more.

According to the organizers, sports promotion and development, as well as socio-economic projects of both institutions will benefit from the fund-raiser also backed by Pure Play Sports Management, Concept Movers, Accel, Millenium Plans, Bank of Commerce, Gerry’s Grill, Kublai’s, Inihaw Circle, Sunbolt, IO KTV, Citifinancial, Globelines, Pepsi, PCSO, Max’s, Immuvit, FINO Leather, Shell, Unioil, CDO, and Avia.

Proceeds of the event will benefit the Ateneo de Manila University Athletic Fund, De La Salle University Sports Fund, and La Salle Green Hills Alumni Association Bro. Leon Castiglione Sports Fund.

Also to benefit from the project is the La Salle Green Hills Alumni Association Adult Night High School for the less fortunate and the Philippine National Red Cross.

"After more than two decades, they play once again to determine who really is the best, at least for one whole year," said tournament chairman David Dualan. "Do it or be done. Whoever wins get a year of bragging rights."