Milo Li’l Olympics unfolds; Team NCR faces big test

MANILA, Philippines - Teams from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR gear up for a battle royale as they dispute the overall championship in the national finals of the Milo Little Olympics today at the Marikina Sports Complex in Marikina City.

University of San Carlos, Baguio City National High School, Baguio Central School, Corpus Christi School, St. Jude Catholic School and San Beda College-Rizal headline the cast in the three-day tournament as the top schools in their respective regions.

Team NCR has won back-to-back championships but faces an uphill battle this time with the rest toughening up to foil the former’s three-peat bid.

But another NCR win will net the Big City bets the Milo Little Olympics Perpetual Trophy. Only the Visayas region has achieved the feat when it won the Perpetual Trophy in 2011.

“For 27 years, the Milo Little Olympics has helped us nurture some of the country’s best young athletic talents. We are excited to once again witness a final that is sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats,” said Milo sports executive Robbie de Vera. “We invite everyone to support our student-athletes as they display their talent and winning energy at the national finals.”

To further encourage student-athletes and coaches to aim for excellence, and in line with Milo’s golden anniversary, the 50 Most Outstanding Athletes in the Milo Little Olympics will be selected and awarded with special prizes.

The event emphasizes Milo’s commitment in helping the country find the next generation of sporting heroes by seeking to develop not only athletic skills, but mental discipline in student-athletes as well, through its roster of 13 sporting events, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, sepak takraw, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis and volleyball.