Let the games begin

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — Action in the Visayas eliminations of the 2015 Milo Little Olympics goes full blast today in 14 different venues here with the defending champion University of San Carlos leading the cast.

The venue for the Visayas leg may have been transferred  after 19 years in Cebu, but a big field of Cebuano athletes are still joining in the multi-sport gathering bankrolled by Nestle Philippines.

The Cebuanos are actually taking part in all events both in the elementary and secondary divisions, with USC fielding in bets in almost all sports featured as they look forward to keeping their crown.

Tipped to dominate basketball, tennis and chess, USC surprisingly has no bets in swimming as well as in sepak takraw and badminton, while the University of Cebu sent only its table tennis and taekwondo bets.

Per sport, USC, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, and Talamban are expected to bring home the bacon for Cebu in athletics. However, they are expected to face tough challenge aginst tracksters from Iloilo, Bacolod, Aklan, Antique, and Roxas.

Palarong Pambansa medallists Raven Faith Alcoseba and Psalm Daniel Aquino are expected to show their might in swimming, while Cebu will count on the likes of Mayn Coran, Veronica Garces and Luiji Estrada in taekwondo.

CESAFI grandslam champion Don Bosco Technology Center, runner-up SHS-Ateneo and Abellana National School are the top bets in football, while Daniela de la Pisa of the University of the Visayas frontlines Cebu's campaign in gymnastics. Shuttlecock artists from Southwestern University and word wizards from the University of San Jose-Recoletos will lead Cebu's charge in badminton and scrabble, respectively.

A stellar cast of volleybal players from USJ-R, ANS, Catmon, Subangdaku and Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School are also among of Cebu's godl medal hopes.

This year's edition still follows a point system in determining the overall champion.

The top performers of this regional battle will then represent Team Visayas in the Milo Little Olympics National Finals set next month in Laguna.

Like Iloilo, Laguna is hosting this event for the first time. They also hosted the regional battle as a "dry-run" for their national hosting.  (FREEMAN)