Team Visayas’ three-peat bid bolstered by entry of Region 6

Team Visayas’ bid for a three-repeat in the Milo Little Olympics National Finals got a major boost after Region 6 or Western Visayas confirmed its participation in the upcoming Regional Finals here in Cebu on August 12 to 14.

Ricky Ballesteros, the head of the Visayas delegation expressed confidence that the regional will retain its national crown with the entry of the powerhouse Ilonggos.

Team Visayas narrowly won the overall crown last year in Cagayan de Oro City, beating National Capital region by a mere 16.5 points.

The third National Finals will be held in Linggayen, Pangasinan later this year.

Ballesteros said he expects Region 6 to figure prominently in the regionals and will be Team Visayas’ added arsenal in its quest for the Perpetual Trophy which goes to the region that wins the overall crown for three consecutive years.

“I am more confident now because Region 6 is very strong in the team events,” said Ballesteros during yesterday’s meeting of officials and tournament managers for the Milo Regional meet at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

Region 6 is composed of Ilo-ilo, Roxas, Bacolod and Negros Occidental. It is very strong in track and field, swimming, volleyball and football as shown during this year’s Palarong Pambansa.

Region 6 will be competing in full force for the first time in the regional finals.

PERPETUAL TROPHY

Team Visayas needs to win the overall National Finals title this year to claim ownership of the coveted Perpetual Trophy after topping the first two editions of the meet.

Today, the first-ever Cebu City Coaching and Officiating Seminar Workshop will be held at the CCSC until the 26th organized by the Cebu City government represented by Vice Mayor Augustus “Joy” Young and sports commissioner Edward Hayco.

The activity will have National Team coaches Claro Pelosis, Maximo Caballes, Tom Palcis and many more as speakers/lecturers for the Milo Little Olympics and the Cebu City Olympics on October 2.

“It’s just not a seminar, it will be an update and upgrade of all the rules involved in the upcoming multi-sports events. This will help our coaches and improve our athletes’ performance,” said Ballesteros.

Meanwhile, due to the rehabilitation and upgrading of CCSC facilities scheduled in mid-July, the track and field events of the Regional Finals will be held in the Sacred Hear School-Ateneo de Cebu’s track oval in Canduman, Mandaue. The opening program will be held in the New Cebu Coliseum.

Track and field technical director and SHS-AdC athletic director Prescillano Capangpangan said the CCSC is no longer viable as venue for athletics due to its dilapidated state.

Unlike last year, the Regionals will be held for three straight days so as not to inconvenience out-of-town teams like last year where the two-weekend schedule was used.