Central Visayas bags crown

CEBU, Philippines -  Central Visayas bagged the coveted overall championship title of the Philippine Collegiate Games (PCG) formerly known as the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA), which concluded yesterday at the Quirino Enriquez Sports Complex in Zamboanga City.

Despite not having representatives in some of the ball games, Region 7 accumulated a total of 70 golds, 53 silvers and 67 bronzes to take the top position in the annual collegiate multi-sporting event.

Central Visayas won the overall crown in 2002 in Cebu City and duplicated it in 2004 in Bacolod City.

“Despite of not having representatives in some of the ball games, we were still able to manage it on the top most position in the overall ranking. I believe that the Cesafi and Regional PRISAA inter-school competitions helped a lot in the improvement of the athletes’ performances in preparation of the multi-sports conclave,” said Bernard Ricablanca, regional coordinator.

Region 11 made a surprising finish as they landed in the second place with 66 golds, 59 silvers and 79 bronzes followed by Region 6 with 58-59-79 g-s-b record.

Region 4-A and CAR settled in the fourth and third places with 58-43-47 and 18-29-16, respectively.

The golds hauled by the University of Cebu paddlers in the table tennis event, fulfilled Central Visayas’ aim of claiming the championship title this year.

Glen Rodriguez dominated the men’s singles event while the duo of Jennifer Jacalan and Elonna Dane Tormis reigned supreme in the women’s doubles after pummeling Davao.

The tandem of Jacalan and Rodriguez had a silver finish in the mixed doubles.

In volleyball, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Spiking Jaguars of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua contributed bronze medals after thrashing Region 8 in the battle for third place, 25-16, 25-20, 25-14.

The exemplary performances of reigning MVP and Best Blocker Jesriel Pino, Leoniel Sanchez, Kevin Casia, Loujei Tipgos along with their two reinforcement, Mart Giducos of the University of the Visayas and Dennis Sepulveda of the University of San Carlos powered the squad.

“We are very grateful to the school presidents and school owners in general for allowing us to come here and providing support materially and financially,” said Ricablanca, who said that they had a hard time before coming to Zamboanga City.

Cebu City will be hosting the event next year. (FREEMAN)