High five for Alcoseba

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Multi-titled Cebuano swimmer Raven Faith Alcoseba may be so shy and the youngest among the competitors in her class, but she can't help but get noticed after sweeping all five golds in her event during the Visayas regional finals of the 20th Milo Little Olympics yesterday here at the Central Philippines University pool.

In her debut under the secondary level, the Talisay City-native Alcoseba swiftly made an impression. After taking away three golds on opening day, she went to seize two more golds through the 400m freestyle and 100m backstroke to make it five-for-five.

Overall, the wards of coach Andoy Remolino collected a total of eight golds, 11 silvers and four bronzes at the end of the swimming competition.

Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu added five golds in its collection, with Joshua Tobesa owning three individual golds.

Over at the Oton oval, Mary Joy Loberanis of the University of Sam Carlos completed a golden treble after ruling the 1,500m run in five minutes and 25.88 seconds.

In the overall standings under the secondary division, defending champion USC sprinted to the top spot with 57 points followed by Southwestern University with 30 points after grabbing the boys and girls badminton title. Beatriz Durano Memorial National High School momentarily occupied the third spot with 22 points.

From 23rd, USC also zoomed to the first spot in the elementary division also dominating chess in both divisions. The Carolinians now have 32 points. They are trailed by Danao City's Maslog Elementary School with 30 points after the latter reigned supreme in boys and girls badminton.

Among all the challengers, SHS-Ateneo poses as the biggest threat to USC's back-to-back championship bid as the Magis Eagles fared well in the ball games aside from putting up a show in athletics and swimming.

SHS -AdC will figure in the secondary boys basketball finals versus Bacolod's Tay Tung, while USC will take on St. Roberts International Academy for the gold in the elementary class.

In volleyball, SHS-AdC's secondary belles booked a finals ticket, while USC hopes to win against USPF in their semifinal match as USJ-R takes the first final slot in the boys side.

Mandaue's Subangdaku E.S. defeated I. Arroyo E.S. to win gold in elementary boys volleyball. In the girls category, SHS-AdC will be going up against the multi-titled Catmon  in the championship.

In the other events, the University of Cebu and City Central School, both under the tutelage of Jessica Jawad-Honoridez, grabbed one gold each, with UC winning the secondary girls and City Central lording it over the elementary boys table tennis.

 Abellana National School missed the gold in secondary sepak takraw against Sta. Barbara Comprehensive HS, 11-21, 18-21, while the elementary battle saw Barotac Nuevo's Guintas E.S defeating Guinsay of Danao, 21-16, 21-18.

In secondary football, defending champion Paref Springdale sets up an exciting title showdown against Don Bosco Technology Center in today's final day of competition.  (FREEMAN)