Central Visayas athletes all set for action in Palarong Pambansa

CEBU, Philippines - Athletes fighting for 495-man Central Visayas delegation are all raring to see action in the 55th Palarong Pambansa, which will kick off tomorrow at the newly-refurbished Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Department of Education (DepEd)-7 supervisor Vivian Giñete said CV's representatives did not waste time in holding practice and familiarizing the venue upon their arrival at the host province famed for its Hundred Islands.

Giñete said they are targeting golds in volleyball, football, lawn tennis, arnis and athletics as they hope to improve their fourth place finish last year.

“We hope that we can improve in hauling more golds and silvers this year since the rankings will be determined through points system. We would like to specifically improve the performance of the athletes in team events because this is where we can get more points for the overall tally,” said Giñete.

For seven years in a row since 2005, Central Visayas has been nailed at fourth in the overall standings but comparing the points it earned from the previous staging in Dapitan City, the region is no longer far behind from the third placer.

Meanwhile, the organizing DepED is making sure no ineligible players could slip into the multi-sport conclave.

This early, reports indicate that the Palaro screening committee is currently tackling and contemplating the fate of two student athletes discovered ineligible to compete in the week-long games that would return to the province since its hosting 17 years ago.

Sources point to two athletes allegedly from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, who were found to be overaged and may be subjected and banned from participating in the elementary boys athletics that starts on Sunday.

Cesar Abalon, the Palarong deputy secretary-general and technical management chair, revealed that National Screening and Accreditation Committee head Atty. Cornelio Pacala is already deliberating and evaluating the reports regarding the two alleged age-cheaters.

“These are the initial findings we got but we will know more after their deliberations are concluded,” said Abalon.-with reports from Philippine STAR News Service