What is the root of the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry?
There was no real origin. Things just evolved through the years given that many Ateneans and La Sallites of old came from the same elite circle of friends and relatives. It was very common to find Aranetas, Yulos, Sorianos, McMickings, and Roxases divided between Blue and Green. The practice of American Jesuits and Christian Brothers to teach their students to aggressively root for their schools through cheers, songs, and attendance in athletic competitions American-style fanned the flames further. However, the rivalry first manifested itself big time shortly before WWII when a then upstart La Salle basketball team beat the highly-favored Ateneo squad for the NCAA title. La Sallites celebrated by throwing fried chickens (fried eagles) in the streets (at that time, the country wasn’t poor and good food was plenty). Ateneans were embittered by that incident which aggravated the already simmering rivalry.
