MANILA, Philippines - Bulacan reigned supreme anew in the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA), topping both the elementary and secondary divisions to emerge overall titlist of the meet that ended Friday at the Zambales Sports Center in the capital of Iba.
After five days of action, Bulacan amassed 499.7 points – 227.5 in the elementary and 272.2 in the secondary – for its 17th overall title and sixth straight double championships it booked in the just concluded edition Zambales hosted for the first time in 18 years through the father and son tandem of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Second District Rep. Jun Omar Ebdane.
Department of Education PESS Division Supervisor Iluminada Estinos of Bulacan proudly received the three huge trophies symbolizing the province’s excellent performance in this year’s Games from the Ebdanes.
“Sa hosting na ito ay naipakita ng mga Zambolenos na kaya natin na magtaguyod ng malaking palaro sa ating lugar bilang patunay sa ating programang Sulong Zambales,” said Ebdane in his closing ceremonies speech.
The host province finished 13th among the 18 school divisions that competed with 74 points, but Ebdane stressed that their athletes will be provided with better training in anticipation for a better performance in 2013, which Zambales is bidding to host anew.
“Sa mga nagsipanalo, congratulations. But I’m giving you all a [warning]. We will not only be better prepared in hosting the Games because Team Zambales will be back next year to win the gold medals,” added Ebdane.
Pampanga finished second all three categories—elementary (153.5), secondary (204.5) and overall (358)—while Olongapo City (247.91), Bataan (237.25) and Angeles City (224) rounded out the top five finishers in the overall race.
Completing the top five in the elementary division were Tarlac City (152), Bataan (100) and Tarlac Province (99.5) while Olongapo City (247.91), Bataan (237.25) and Angeles City (224) landed third to fifth in the high school division.
All winners earned the right to represent Region III in this summer’s Palarong Pambansa in Pangasinan.