There is no team quite like the DLSU Green Archers, and nothing compares to the ecstasy felt when the University’s basketball team wins in the UAAP. The team has given La Salle nine championships, the most recent of which was in the 2016-2017 season, and has remained as a top contender in the league.
The Green Archers has made La Salle a household name, and is the other half of a sports rivalry known across the country. With all the spotlight put on the men’s basketball team, it is inevitable that the other sporting teams from La Salle would be shrouded in the dark.
In the morning of November 20, a day before the Green Archer’s do-or-die match against FEU, University Chancellor Br. Bernie Oca FSC announced that students watching the game live will be excused from their classes. The Help Desk Announcement stated that students who do not have examinations or any required output on the afternoon of the following day were “encouraged to watch and support the Men’s Basketball Team” in the Araneta Coliseum.
While students rejoiced with the news, it slipped from a lot of people’s minds that on the same day, the Lady Archers also had a do-or-die game against the UST Golden Tigresses. A week after, the Green, Lady Tracksters also competed in their respective tournament. However, in both occasions there were no signs of support from the University administration.
The Men’s Basketball team truly is the pride and joy of the Lasallian community, arguably followed by the DLSU Lady Spikers. This comes as no surprise since many consider basketball as the primary sport in the country, and Filipinos are known for their passion for it. That, however, does not excuse our failure to support our other sports teams.
While the Green Archers have enjoyed success throughout the years and have represented the University nationwide, it may be mistaken that they completely embody La Salle sports. However, it does not suffice to entirely define what the Animo truly is.
If the University should endorse the Green Archers, it is only right that it encourages the Lasallian community, especially its students, to watch and support the other La Salle teams as well. These teams work equally as hard—maybe even harder—as the Men’s Basketball team. Hundreds of our student athletes don’t train day-in and day-out, sacrifice time with friends and family, and balance their sport with academics only to go unnoticed by the name they’ve chosen to represent on the front of their jerseys.
Lack of support for other sports is also evident on the national level. Earlier this year, Olympian Hidilyn Diaz lamented how Philippine athletes have continued to give their all, but the lack of decent training facilities has hindered their potential. Meanwhile, the government provides unimpeded support for Gilas Pilipinas, going through all the trouble of bringing in different naturalized players for the country.
I’m not saying that the situation in La Salle is the same with that of national sports. However, the common denominator remains: other sports also need attention.
As the second semester of the UAAP unfolds and as the bid for the UAAP General Championship continues, our various teams will need continual support from the Lasallian community. It is easy to get swayed by what is continually seen in media, however, let us not forget the hundreds of other athletes that bleed and sweat for the Green-and-White.
