The rivalry of De La Salle and Ateneo was an instant hit in the past, producing some of the best games the league has ever seen with the players, the coaches, and the raucous fans engaging in a heated duel of green versus blue.

But things have changed so far, with the Lady Spikers preserving their place at the top and the Blue Eagles struggling to keep up with the pace in the competitive collegiate season.

“Sa ngayon kasi hindi ko nakikita ‘yon, kasi ‘yong Ateneo parang walang go-to guy, ‘yon ‘yong nakikita ko,” said DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus after La Salle’s 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19 win over Ateneo last Wednesday evening, March 12, at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Kasi that time si Alyssa, bigay mo lang sa kanya bubuhayin niya na, ngayon parang walang Alyssa do’n sa Ateneo or [talagang] even ‘yong Ateneo o distributed lang ang bola,” he added. “Kaya hindi mo masasabi na ‘yong Ateneo na pwedeng balewalain.”

It was the Lady Spikers' 15th consecutive win over the Eagles in a span of eight years, or since 2017 (Season 78).

Certainly, the Sergio Veloso-mentored squad, despite missing three of their key players, came out with a fight with Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner leading the pack and gave La Salle a hard time during their clash.

However, their efforts went for naught as Shevana Laput fired her career-high scoring of 25 points with Angel Canino and Alleiah Malaluan backing her up with 25 and 12 points, respectively.

Laput and Canino tipped their hats to Ateneo for giving it all in this challenging season.

“I mean, whether or not the other team has injured players, we still have to play with respect and pride because they are Ateneo at the end of the day,” said Laput.

“Siyempre, for us, sa team po namin, sobrang importante po yung panalong 'to and then pinag-uusapan nga po namin yung pride habang naglalaro. Siyempre, tinatawag nga po kaming rivalry for a reason,” Canino added.

"Niremind lang kami na magkaroon ng pride and respeto sa kalaban.”