PRISAA action goes full blast

NAGA CITY , Philippines  – Action in the PRISAA National Games goes into full throttle today with the top collegiate athletes from the country’s 17 regions clashing for top honors in athletics and swimming at the Metro Naga Sports Complex here. 

President Gloria Macagal-Arroyo congratulated PRISAA organizers for the big turnout of the regional contingents after formally opening the event at the University of Nueva Caceres Sports Palace in downtown Naga yesterday.

“While we live in challenging economic times, you athletes are our examples of discipline, hard work and teamwork that will eventually pull us Filipinos through,” said Mrs. Arroyo during the inaugural rites of the event sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education and Philippine Sports Commission.

PRISAA chairman Gonzalo Duque cited the Games’ significance in the President’s vision of an integrated sports development program, adding that next year’s sportsfest may even be bigger with the possible involvement of state colleges and universities in the tertiary meet.

The inaugurals were also graced by CHED chairman Emmanuel Angeles, PSC chairman Harry Angping, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, Press Secretary Serge Remonde, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. and Rep. Dato Arroyo.

Robredo thanked the PRISAA leadership for allowing Naga City to host the event for the first time since 1959.

Hostilities in basketball and volleyball games actually got going late yesterday to accommodate the large number of teams seeing action in the respective events of the Games backed by Smart Sports and San Miguel Corp.

Also on tap are baseball, sepak takraw and women’s softball competitions.

Badminton and lawn tennis unfolds at the Naga Civic Center, chess at the Naga College Foundation, while dance sports, a one-day contest, karatedo and table tennis will be played at the University of Nueva Caceres.

The Mutya ng PRISAA pageant featuring muses from 13 regions is set Friday, the penultimate day of the six-day sports conclave.