The storied rivalry between Ateneo and La Salle takes a surprise twist on Sunday when both universities agreed to drop their respective school colors and urged their fans to wear only one shade when the Blue Eagles and Green Archers collide at the Araneta Coliseum.
Expect the Big Dome’s 20,000-plus seats to turn into a sea of yellow-clad supporters from both schools as they pay their last respects to former President Corazon Aquino, who was laid to rest on Wednesday beside her husband’s grave at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. Aquino died at 3:18 a.m. on August 1 at the Makati Medical Center due to cardiorespiratory arrest. The idea of a unified color came from the Ateneo side and was openly accepted by the La Salle camp. Yellow became Mrs. Aquino’s trademark color when she ran for the presidency against the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos in a snap election in February 1986.
“We’ll do it as our way of looking up to her (good leadership example), and as our expression of gratitude to President Aquino for all the things that she did for our country," said La Salle sports director Edwin Reyes. “Hopefully, on Sunday, differences on colors, schools and teams will be ditched," added Reyes. Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou urged UAAP supporters to troop to the Big Dome wearing yellow shirts.
Affinity to the Aquinos Mrs. Aquino’s youngest daughter, popular television and movie personality Kris Aquino-Yap, and only son Sen. Noynoy Aquino are both Ateneo graduates. One of the former President’s grandsons, Kiko Aquino-Dee, is currently playing for the Ateneo high school basketball team, the Blue Eaglets. On the other hand, La Salle holds a special place in Mrs. Aquino’s heart since it serves as a safe house for ZTE-NBN Senate witness Jun Lozada, who had the full support of the former President.
We’ll do it as our way of looking up to her (good leadership example), and as our expression of gratitude to President Aquino for all the things that she did for our country. 
– Edwin Reyes, La Salle sports director
Mrs. Aquino’s remains also lay in state at the La Salle Greenhills Gym, a high school learning institution run by the La Salle brothers.
Worth the wait With their present line up, the Green Archers of coach Franz Pumaren may appear weaker on paper compared to previous seasons but their current 4-2 win-loss card and third place standing, tied with the University of the East Red Warriors, show La Salle is no pushover. The defending champion Blue Eagles, meanwhile, enjoy their lofty perch on top in the company of host Far Eastern University. Their solid line-up, led by last year’s most valuable player Rabeh al-Hussaini, has been dominant against other teams except for a surprise 68-58 loss to lowly University of the Philippines on July 26.
– GMANews.TV 
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