Marikina City—Team Visayas plunges into action today in the 4th National Milo Little Olympics at the Marikina Sports Park, looking to remain the undisputed champions of this annual multi-sporting event.
The Visayan team has won the first three editions of this meet held in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Dagupan, respectively. The Bisdaks are all out in their campaign for a fourth consecutive title since a win here will further solidify their status as the country’s best, having won in three previous National Finals held in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR.
Even the head delegation of the National Capital Region (NCR), the hosts of this year’s event, believe Team Visayas is the team to beat this year.
“I know the Visayas is very prepared this year, considering they got the help of the Ilonggo athletes,” said NCR delegation head Robert Milton Calo during yesterday’s grand opening.
NCR is considered a perennial contender in this meet but Calo said things may be a bit different this year since his team won’t be as strong since their top players who won in the regionals have commitments in other tournaments. This means the team will be composed of NCR’s class B athletes.
“We prepared for this but not to the extent of being fully confident [of a win]. But I still trust and believe in my athletes.”
He said the only thing going for them this year is playing at their home turf.
PLAIN PSY-WAR
But Visayas delegation head Ricky Ballesteros said he doesn’t want to be too confident of Calo’s statement. In fact, he believes it is nothing but a psychological tactic.
“I think he is just saying it because he wants us to believe that NCR is fielding its weaker teams,” said Ballesteros. “But we will not lower our guard. We prepared for this fight to complete the full cycle (winning in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR).”
Milo Philippines consultant Pat Goc-ong, for his part, also said NCR can’t be taken lightly.
“For the past three years, Visayas always staged a great escape. I believe that this will be a very close fight since they are competing in NCR’s home court.”
Like Calo, Goc-ong said Visayas has an ace in the Ilonggo athletes, who can possibly outperform NCR athletes in their favorite track and field event.
Present during yesterday’s opening rites were Marikina City mayor Del de Guzman and Nestle Philippines CEO and President John Miller who gave an inspirational message.
University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) cheer dance champion University of the Philippine (UP) pep squad and the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) also performed during the ceremony.
Athletics and gymnastics events kick off today’s games starting at 7 a.m. at the Marikina Sports Park oval and at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, respectively.