Milo Little Olympics: Tight battle for supremacy looms

CEBU, Philippines -  After their 17-year dominance was toppled,  the University of Cebu Webmasters make no promises of taking back their throne, but it could be a strategy that defending champion University of San Carlos should be very extra careful as games in the 19th Milo Little Olympics Visayas eliminations go full blast today mainly at the Cebu City Sports Center.

But whatever UC is thinking of, USC is up for the challenge. USC made history last year for being the first school to sweep the overall championship in the elementary and secondary divisions.

USC Athletic Director Fr. Adriano Ocariza, SVD, said their athletes are "raring to defend their title".

"I came to see them, blessed them. And the way I see them, they are highly motivated to defend their title in the Milo Little Olympics," said Fr. Ocariza, adding that it's not only their entries in the MLO that are upbeat this time, but all their athletic scholars who are also going to play in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.

"All events in the CESAFI and in Milo, we are prepared for that. The pre-season tune-ups make the athletes raring to go," added Fr. Ocariza.

While the Carolinians have high sense of optimism, UC wants to take things easy although they promised to give their best shot at regaining back the crown.

Just like last year, UC has no entry in a lot of events like gymnastics, basketball and football, but they will rely on chess, table tennis, swimming and athletics in their pursuit for glory.

And with the organizers still keeping the points system as basis for determining the overall rankings, everything could still be anybody's game.

That is why even as the event carries the world "Olympics", the organizers are not keen on following the Olympic-medal count to give each of the 127 elementary and 115 secondary schools a chance to make it to the top 10 cast.

It's going to be an added challenge for everyone involved in gymnastics, from the gymnasts and coaches and even the technical officials as they implement the 2013 code of points after utilizing the 2009 edition in the previous edition.

Football, on the other hand, will be dealing with a 9-a-side format this time instead of the 11-a-side for the elementary level.

The national technical committee has recommended the change based on FIFA's new ruling that 12-under tournaments shall be 9-a-aside, while 9-under kids will have to play 7-a-side.

Action goes full blast today with badminton and sepak takraw taking place at Metrosports in Lahug, chess at the University of San Carlos-North Campus, basketball, elementary football, taekwondo and secondary volleyball at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, elementary tennis at Alta Vista Golf and Country, and secondary tennis at Citigreen. The rest of the sporting disciplines will be staged at CCSC.

Meanwhile, Bright Academy's Megan Heeger and Maria Mercy Bacarisas of Colegio del Sto. Niño romped off with the Miss Milo Little Olympics title in high school and elementary level, respectively. Cebu City Science High School's Kartina Uriel Secretaria and UC's Rose Malou Gumahad got the Miss Personality awards, while Abellana National School's Rosalyn Betito and Asian College of Technology's Alexandria Rayo were the best in production. (FREEMAN)