Fr. Vic Uy: This will be the best-ever PRISAA meet

CEBU, Philippines - Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) national president Fr. Vicente “Vic” L. Uy, SVD, believes that Cebu’s hosting of the biggest inter-collegiate multi-sports conclave will be the best in the history of the event.

“I have no doubt that that Cebu’s hosting will be the best ever in the history of PRISAA with all the support of the local, regional and national officials to make this event a huge success,” said Uy, during the launching yesterday at the conference hall of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R)-Main Campus.

The PRISAA launching was graced by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Director Dr. Amelia Biglete, PRISAA Secretary General Laureano Santos and PRISAA Executive Director Elberto Atilano and the rest of the officials and coaches.

Atilano said that this year’s PRISAA will also be memorable as they will also have the first ever convention of all the presidents of the PRISAA member schools in the country.

Though not present during the launching yesterday, PRISAA National Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Angeles expressed his confidence that the event will be successful.

“I believe that it will be a resounding success. We are expected to bring in more than 6,000 from not less than 16 regions. The level of competition among the athletes is expected also to increase as they will surely show their best in their respective sporting events,” said Angeles.

PRISAA project director Bernard Ricablanca and the rest of the organizers were very glad with the combined support of the province and the city of Cebu for the sporting event slated on April 22-28 that will attract over 6,000 athletes, coaches and officials from all over the archipelago.

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Mayor Michael Rama confirmed their full support.

Garcia and Rama will be hosting a Governor’s Night at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) on April 25. 

Rama will host the Mayor’s Night at Fort San Pedro on April 26. These are for the over 500 coaches and officials.

Aside from the dinner treat, Garcia also allowed the PRISAA to feature the “Pasigarbo sa Sugbo” in the opening ceremonies on April 22 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) and she confirmed to grace the event.

She will also be giving souvenir items to the delegations.

“It’s nice to have everybody’s cooperation knowing that we’re a private entity. We’re on a process of seeing a brighter view in our preparation for this prestigious event. Even if Governor Garcia has a prior appointment in Camotes Island on that day, she will be flying via chopper in order to personally grace and witness the opening ceremonies,” said Ricablanca.

Meanwhile, a greater challenge and task is ahead of the Team Cebu City Niños, especially that Central Visayas will be defending the title with a so-called home court advantage in this prestigious sporting event.

“We have the best athletes in the region that can really compete against the best from the other regions. But we will not be complacent, that’s why I encouraged the athletes to practice hard and the coaches to motivate them to give their heart on what they’re going to do,” said Uy.

Last year was Region VII’s first time to get the national crown as they were able to beat Region VI and this year the region is expected to face tough opposition against the National Capital Region (NCR), which did not compete last year in Zamboanga City.

Except for softball and baseball that will be represented by Bohol, Cebu City delegation will be representing the rest of the sporting events for Central Visayas after they hauled all the gold medals during the regional meet.

As part of strengthening the Central Visayas squad, after the semester, they will look for billeting areas for the athletes from the other provinces like Bohol and Dumaguete, who were chosen to form part of the different sporting events, since they will already be training here in Cebu.

Business magnate and sports aficionado Manuel “Manny” V. Pangilinan will also grace the opening rites as the guest of honor.

He will also be inviting the pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao to come over that if the latter’s fight will not push through. (FREEMAN)