The hope for glory never fades. Season after season, through triumphs and heartbreaks across the court, the field, the mats, and the diamond, the Lasallian faithful persist with unwavering passion. More than school pride, the “green-blooded devotion” is a shared pulse that binds players and supporters alike.
As Season 88 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) unfolds, that devotion is once again put to the test. The injury-ridden Green Archers and reassembled Lady Archers fight to regain their footing after Round One setbacks. Meanwhile, the Lady Booters continue their relentless pursuit of gold after three straight silver finishes. And across all other Lasallian teams, the same cheers echo, the same faith endures, no matter the turnout.
With the rest of the UAAP calendar still ahead, the faithful remain ready, hopeful, and loud. The LaSallian seeks to explore why and what drives the Lasallian community to care so deeply, cheer so fiercely, and stay so steadfast—win or lose.
Taft’s toughest
Sports open windows for individuals to display tremendous feats that forge iconic moments—Angel Canino’s Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player campaign, Kevin Quiambao’s back-to-back threes with their backs against the wall, the 1990s to 2000s four-peat, and many more accolades that the Green-and-White has etched into history.
Diehard La Salle sports fan Hanz Mirandilla (IV, BS-LGL) explored the meaning of athletes’ larger-than-life moments: “It gives us this sense of pride [that] we once shared the same humble spaces that they also did,” he shared, reflecting on how these extraordinary stories serve as inspiration to show up especially in tough times, in true Animo spirit.
The mantra “Never shall we fail” resonates with all Lasallians. It embodies the spirit of learning to stand tall while battling through adversity. Referencing the Green Archers’ near 30-point comeback against storied rivals ADMU Blue Eagles, Diego Vergel “DV” De Dios, Sports Editor of The LaSallian in 2020, expressed his awe for the resilient nature of Lasallians. “Those kinds of instances are the best example of the Animo spirit. That’s why we always say never shall we fail. Even if you lost, it doesn’t mean you failed,” he shared, because the Animo spirit links the hearts of the community together through effort and not results alone.
The unity in keeping the faith holds the institution high as every battle faced by the shield of Green-and-White is never fought alone. “If the crowd can see that the players are giving their all, the Lasallian crowd will definitely give it back tenfold,” stated Mirandilla, emphasizing the audience’s capacity to control the atmosphere of each match. When the crowd roars, the team rallies, and every heartbeat moves in sync—Lasallians experience what sociologist Émile Durkheim once called “collective effervescence,” the electric feeling of belonging to something greater than oneself. For La Salle, that feeling is about the spirit that keeps everyone believing together, and always.
Unshaken in defeat, pride in success
Pride is not always about winning. For the Green-and-White, honor runs deeper than the scoreboard. Through every heartbreak, buzzer-beater loss, and rebuilding season, the Lasallian spirit always stands firm even if the journey gets tough. For Kyjana Aparece, an ID 112 BS-MGT alumna and member of Take Aim, an organization dedicated to covering DLSU sports teams, the devotion of the Animo spirit is defined by a loyalty that endures beyond the final buzzer.
Since her first experience watching the UAAP in 2013, she has witnessed how Lasallians persist through every high and low. “Rainbows and butterflies aren’t promised every season, but what I love about our culture is [that], whether we’re watching the preseason games or UAAP games, we can expect a chunk of supporters flocking to the venue,” she shared. Aparece confidently explained that this unwavering spirit is something that sets the Lasallian community apart, especially during seasons when victories are hard to come by.
Even with the Green Archers’ recent losses and injuries of key players, the community’s pride never faltered. “Wins are easy to celebrate. But being there even when it is difficult to cheer, [lies] a sense of fulfillment to me as a fan knowing that the Lasallian crowd will not abandon anyone who needs stronger moral support,” the alumna remarked.
Athletes put in their blood, sweat, and tears to be worthy of bearing the school’s name in their jerseys. In their efforts, there is always pride and respect, and that, by itself, deserves to be cheered on. Despite the unpredictable results of every match, the Lasallian faithful remain resolute, unshaken in defeat, and loyal to every victory.
Animo, always
Truth be told, not every match draws a crowd, not every win makes headlines, and not every loss is taken lightly. But whether it is the Green and Lady Archers overcoming their pains, the Green and Lady Booters chasing redemption, the Green and Lady Woodpushers grinding through quiet victories, or teams still waiting for their turn in Phase Two of the UAAP, the Animo still remains.
The spirit lives in the families who consistently fill the stands, the alumni who still keep tabs long after graduation, and the fans who continue to believe even when the odds are stacked high. It surges through every athlete who gives their all for the crest of La Salle, and in every supporter who cheers back twice as hard.
In the end, wins and losses may fade into memory, but the rhythmic heartbeat of the community stays. For Lasallians, devotion is not measured in trophies; it is found in the quiet moments of faith, undaunted persistence, and pride that keep the pulse of La Salle beating.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s October 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSOct2025.
