Taking the rivalry to the pros

All’s well Red Bull teammates Rich Alvarez and Carlo Sharma show each other some love before the hostilities get under way in the first Philippine Basketball Association Ateneo-De La Salle Showdown on Easter Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Alvarez is an Ateneo alumnus, while Sharma was a De La Salle varsity player. --picture by Nonoy Lacza of Business Mirror caption by their editorial staff.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the 1st PBA Ateneo-La Salle Showdown. Sat behind the basket close to the Blue Eagles' bench with former Ateneo PRADA player Chito Medina, former Blue Eagles Jimmy and Harry Alabanza, Jojo De La Rama, and Robin Tong. Had fun chatting with former pro Zaldy Realubit who I first covered back in late 80's/early 90's when he was playing for Swift in the PABL.

Great game by Rico Villanueva, Wesley Gonzalez, LA Tenorio, Olsen Racela, Larry Fonacier, and Magnum Membrere. Dammit, Wes! We should have won the game had you made that free throw!

But good game by both teams. Carlo Sharma, Mike Cortez, Mark Telan, and Willy Wilson played great ball except for that dirty play by Ryan Arana who is actually a talented player. But he has no class whatsoever.