The DLSU Green Archers deem rivals UP as best team in the league ahead of their first round clash for UAAP Season 87.
There is usually a lot of bad blood when it comes to rivalry games, but for DLSU head coach Topex Robinson, he doesn’t see their upcoming game against the UP Fighting Maroons as anything other than a learning opportunity for himself and his players.
Marking their first meeting in the UAAP since the three-game Finals series in Season 86, Robinson said that his team is approaching the game as a chance to better themselves rather than putting pressure to reassert their mastery over UP.
[Related: Emotional Mike Phillips dedicates Green Archers win to late La Salle dorm guard]
“We are excited. You know, UP is gonna be somebody that we're gonna learn from,” Robinson said.
“We never really called them our enemy but we always call them as worthy rivals because they're strength is our weakness and we just wanna enjoy playing against that mighty team, you know, that really gets us excited,” coach Topex added.
Heading into their Finals rematch on Sunday, October 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena, La Salle’s record in UAAP Season 87 has already been blemished by the UE Red Warriors in an upset loss.
Nevertheless, there is a lot of fanfare considering the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons are still the top two teams in the league.
But for La Salle themselves, they’re tuning out all the noises – especially when it comes to the fans and the narrative that’s gone into play.
“Again, it's something that I'm sure everybody will talk about but para samin, you know, we're gonna learn from them, that's for sure and I know it's really gonna be something that all of you guys are excited about, kami rin po excited din kami makalaban ang UP because ang sarap ng feeling,” said Robinson.
Coach Topex also pointed out that rivalries like this don’t come often, especially as talent comes and goes in the collegiate ranks.
As they get another chance to face a team with such a high caliber like theirs, Robinson is making sure his boys don’t waste the chance.
“I mean, I guess yung sinasabi nga ni Mike [Phillips] there's no guarantee of when we're gonna face them again. I mean, we just gonna enjoy it and we just wanna compete against the best team in college, yun lang ang samin,” he said.
As it stands, UP is currently above La Salle in the standings with an undefeated 5-0 slate.
However, the Fighting Maroons still have one more assignment – UST – before locking horns with La Salle on Sunday.
The highly anticipated match up between the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers happens at 6:30 p.m. at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.