The Metro Manila bets get their chance to show their wares as the National Capital Region qualifying leg of the third Philippine Olympic Festival unfolds today at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Softball kicks off hostilities in the five-day event with newly crowned National Open champion University of the Philippines heading the field that includes host Manila, Pasig, Rizal Technological U, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and University of the East-Caloocan.
Badminton and sepak takraw will also be held today at the Rizal Badminton Center and Dapitan Sports Complex, respectively.
Medal-rich swimming, which drew the most number of participants with 289, and the centerpiece athletics event start tomorrow at the Rizal pool and track and field oval, respectively.
Other sports to be played tomorrow are baseball (Rizal Baseball Field), chess (Rizal Athletes’ Lounge), karatedo (SM Manila), table tennis (Harrison Plaza) and volleyball (San Andres Sports Center).
Other sports on tap are arnis (RMSC track and field), basketball (Rizal Memorial Coliseum), gymnastics (RMSC Gymnasium), judo (SM Manila), powerlifting (Meisic Mall), taekwondo (Rizal Memorial Coliseum), dragon boat (Baywalk) and wrestling (Tondo Sports Complex). – Joey Villar