The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will send one team in the upcoming Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) National Collegiate Games slated April 22 to 28 in various venues in Cebu City.
ARMM, which used to send two separate squads, is expected to compete as one and will join sporting events such as beach volleyball, table tennis and swimming, according to Prisaa National Collegiate Games project director Bernard Ricablanca.
On the other hand, powerhouse National Capital region (NCR) has not enlisted its athletes and teams for the national games.
Ricablanca said the region is still undecided whether which of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will spearhead NCR in Cebu.
But even if NCR has not yet confirmed their participation, Ricablanca believes Central Visayas athletes have to intensify their training in order to brighten their chances of defending the national title.
Cebu, meanwhile, is all geared up to host the games.
The organizing body is aiming for a successful hosting, like that of the 1994 Palarong Pambansa, which was held here in Cebu.
As of this writing, 4,000 athletes have already enlisted coming from 17 regions.
Ricablanca said that Cebu Provincial government and the Cebu City government will both play crucial roles in the successful hosting of the event. Both groups promised to provide the necessary support for the multi-sporting event.
Fr. Vic Uy, Prisaa Region 7 president, said Cebu City, Cebu Province, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 7 and the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 7 will be working hand in hand for a successful national Collegiate Games. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL