Best friends square off in UAAP rivalry

By Joaquin Henson
Philippine Star
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Ateneo off-guard Chris Tiu and La Salle quarterback T. Y. Tang grew up playing basketball together. For eight years, they were inseparable on the court, leading their Xavier elementary and high school teams to at least 16 championships.

But their partnership came to an end when they parted ways after graduating from high school. Tang went to La Salle and took up Business Management while Tiu enrolled in Management Engineering at Ateneo. They also became rival basketball stars in the UAAP.

Despite their divided loyalties, Tiu and Tang remain best friends. They play hard and tough, just like they did during their Xavier years. They never lose respect for each other—it’s the way they were brought up.

Today, Tang and Tiu will play the game of their lives in a playoff to determine No. 2 in the standings. Now team captains, they’re squaring off in their third meeting this season.

Tang, 23, is in his last year of varsity eligibility while Tiu, 22, has one left because he sat out his third season as an exchange student in France. Both earned their undergraduate degrees early this year and are studying for a second major—Tiu in Mathematical Finance and Tang in Sports Management.

“I try to treat every game the same way but it’s different when we play La Salle,” said Tiu. “The coliseum is jampacked—half in green and the other half, in blue. You get goosebumps. I don’t think about the pressure of winning. I just try to play my best.”

Tang said playing against Ateneo is a challenge. “The expectations are higher when we play Ateneo,” he continued. “We’ve got to play our A-game. We lost two close games to Ateneo this year and I’m hoping our bad luck has run out. We’re happy that God gave us another chance to play Ateneo.”

Tiu said he’d rather be playing with Tang than against him but it’s a reality he has to live with.

“T.Y.’s a great point guard and a great leader,” said Tiu. “I look up to him for his work ethic. His priority is to create for his teammates. When things get hot during a game, he’s the first to try to pacify the guys. I try to do the same. I just find it immature for guys to get emotional, lose their cool and fight because of a game. It’s okay to play with intensity but it’s not right to go overboard and hit somebody.”

Tang said he’ll never forget playing with Tiu on the Philippine 12-and-under selection that won the Las Vegas Easter Classic title in 1997.

“We won all our games, six in all, and we beat teams where the players were all Americans,” said Tang. “Chris was the MVP and I made it to the mythical five. I encouraged Chris to enroll at La Salle but he chose Ateneo. I’m happy for him because things worked out really well for Chris. I was brought up by Jesuits at Xavier and I matured with the Christian Brothers at La Salle. What I learned from the Jesuits and Christian Brothers, I bring to the court—my Christian values and my commitment to excellence.”

Tang’s father Reynaldo was a former secretary-general of the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association. That’s why he swam competitively from three to nine years old until he switched to basketball. An older brother Terrence, 27, played basketball at Xavier but younger brother Thompson, 18, isn’t into the game—he studies at Ateneo.

Tiu’s younger brother Charles, 18, played at Xavier and is now in Team B at Ateneo.

“I think the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry is good in that it brings the students, faculty, administration and alumni together,” said Tiu. “It’s a good way to foster the university spirit. What’s bad about it is it sometimes gets personal, leading to a lot of taunting and things getting out of hand.”

Tang said the competition brings out the best in the players. “Trying to beat Ateneo is a big motivation for us,” added Tang. “But it’s still just a game. I try to focus, listen to my coach, listen to my teammates and play as hard as I can. Before every game, I wish Chris the best of luck and after the game, whatever happens, we shake hands.”

Tiu said he doesn’t think about the two daggers he stuck into La Salle’s heart this season.

“I try to do my best in every game,” said Tiu. “It’s the Ateneo way. It’s a test of one’s character, a test of which team wants it more. I play with all my heart. I’m grateful to coach Norman (Black) who is a tremendous motivator for us, on and off the court. He has changed the culture of our team. He makes us work harder and think as one. There are no stars in our team.”

Tang said coach Franz Pumaren sets lofty goals and challenges the players to live up to the highest standards. “He’s a perfectionist,” said Tang. “We’re out to prove ourselves after being suspended. We were victims of circumstance last year. We felt really bad. But now, we have a chance for vindication.”