The usual crowd in blue and green wasn't the scene at the Mall of Asia Arena in the showdown between rival schools Ateneo and De La Salle.
As Ateneo repeated over De La Salle with a 76-68 win Tuesday night, April 12, a sea of pink flooded the MOA Arena as both fans, supporters, and students alike expressed support for Vice President Leni Robredo in her presidential bid this coming May 2022 elections.
Gate attendance reached a total of 11, 124 with most spectators clad in pink, some taking it to social media that the Blue Eagles and the Green Archers have set aside rivalry and showed unity on this occasion.
The return to normalcy has been slowly achieved by the UAAP and players could not help but express glee given the current situation.
"First of all, nakaka-miss 'yong feeling na 'pag lumabas ka pa lang ng dugout, may tumitili na, may sumisigaw na," said Ateneo team captain Gian Mamuyac. "May sumisigaw na and sobrang na-miss namin 'yon. Also the drums, iba talaga feeling if may drums na."
Prior to Tuesday's games, drums and cheers were only pre-recorded and played depending if one team is on the offensive or defensive side.
This time though, it's real and livelier than ever after the league's two-year lull due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"For me, actually same with Mamu (Mamuyac)," echoed playmaker SJ Belangel, who caught fire along with BJ Andrade in the third quarter which enabled the Blue Eagles to pull away heading into the payoff period.
"Sobrang nakaka-miss talaga 'yong fans. Pagkalabas pa lang ng dugout actually we were already pumped up na. Sobrang pumped up talaga. Nag-add pa roon kasi you're hearing all the drums and all the fans na puno 'yong arena."
In between timeouts and quarter breaks, the usual school chants returned but what made this game special is that most "Kakampinks" would also cheer and sing along Robredo's campaign jingles.
The move was initiated by no less than the schools' respective presidents in Fr. Bobby Yap S.J. of Ateneo and Bro. Bernard “Bernie” Oca FSC of host De La Salle.
For Archers coach Derrick Pumaren, despite the loss, the fans' return sure brought extra energy for both squads.
"Added motivation for the guys, even sa akin, 'di ba? It gets you more excited with the crowd and I'm happy the crowd is back," said the two-time UAAP champion coach.
Evan Nelle, who was a new face in the UAAP as a transferee in the NCAA, was also in awe after seeing the crowd in a long while.
While it was hard to determine if one was cheering for Ateneo or De La Salle, the former San Beda playmaker described it as a "nerve-racking" experience.
"But it was a really fun experience kasi siyempre, this is the best rivalry in the Philippine sports. So, I hope this season, we'll get to face them again with full capacity fans."
It was only on April 2 when UAAP welcomed back fans at the MOA Arena as it kicked off Season 84 spectator-less even as respective teams were holed up in a bubble system on their campuses.