UAAP 72ND SEASON - First Encounter Between Rivals La Salle Green Archers and Ateneo Blue Eagles Turned Yellow in Honor of Pres. Cory Aquino

Her legacy and spirit shall live in our hearts

One goal, one spirit, one color

MANILA, Philippines - The UAAP couldn’t have found a better theme for its 72nd season: One color, one goal.

Indeed, there was only one color that stood out in the Ateneo-La Salle showdown yesterday at the Big Dome - not the Ateneo blue nor the La Salle green but the famous Cory yellow.

The league’s premiere collegiate league yesterday paid tribute to the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the icon of Philippine democracy. In many ways, she was all over the place.

From fans to league officials, from players to coaching staff, there was a bit of Cory in them. Some came in yellow shirts or yellow jackets, some had Cory pins on them.

Ateneo players entered the court with yellow shirts on their blue warmups, and later on showed tiny, yellow ribbons on their jerseys.

For the first time, coach Norman Black put on a yellow shirt, too.

La Salle players were more into it, with yellow shirts shouting the name of Cory in big, bold, black letters. They all wore yellow shoelaces, yellow muscle tapes and used yellow towels on the bench.

At least in this game, it was quite hard to tell who was for Ateneo, who was for La Salle because they all came in yellow: Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, ex-senator Nikki Coseteng, SM owner Henry Sy, Cory ally Jose Romasanta and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney.

Chris Tiu, a former Blue Eagle, and TY Tang, a former Green Archer, were together entering the court, and sat at ringside, flanking the US ambassador, a frequent visitor in Ateneo-La Salle games.

Even Cory, who died Aug. 1 after a long, emotional battle with colon cancer, used to watch the games, her son-in-law James Yap having played for UE, and her grandson Miguel Abellada for the Ateneo high school squad.

For Anton Montinola of FEU, who is this year’s UAAP president, the game was more than just basketball.

“This is a chance for us to show her our respect and to honor her legacy. She was a great president. She was responsible for bringing back democracy to the Philippines. And she stood for decency and transparency and compassion,” he said.

“Unfortunately, those attributes are lacking now. And hopefully, by showing that today we can send a message to everyone that we do want to have a say on our future. We are not just going to keep quiet and let things go by even if certain behavior or events are not right.”

Montinola said it was quite moving to see the people pay their respects to the fallen hero of the peaceful Edsa People Power revolt in 1986 through a basketball game, considering that these young students were not even born yet at the time Cory became president.

“So, again after 23 years, it’s heartwarming to see that spirit live on. I thought the spirit of Edsa had died. So, I was so overwhelmed by this. Like it or not the crowd here today can make a difference in the future of this country. It’s nice for them to make a statement by wearing Cory’s yellow,” the FEU president added.

“This is just a basketball game but today it’s more than just a basketball game. And it’s voluntary. They can wear what they want to wear but they came in yellow. It’s one thing to be moved but it’s another thing to make a move,” he said.

Before the tip-off, the crowd of more than 15,000 rose and offered a prayer for Aquino, led by Fr. Nemy Que of Ateneo and Fr. Bernie Oca of La Salle.

They cited Aquino for the spirit she exemplifies, which is “the spirit to be holy and be heroes.”

La Salle players stayed close to one another, and flashed the Laban sign and shortly after there was a big round of applause for the Edsa hero. Chants of “Co-ry! Co-ry!” filled the air as the song “Bayan Ko” was played.

“Cory is watching us!” Fr. Oca blurted over the microphone, and was met by another thunderous applause.

Then it was game time. And the rest is history.