Short-handed ANS opens title bid today

The Abellana National School (ANS), the defending champion in secondary competition, begins its campaign today in the 22nd Cebu City Olympics without its boys’ football team.

This after ANS’ football squad withdrew its participation at the last minute due to disciplinary reasons.

According to a source close to the team who refused to be named, the disciplinary action was because of the players’ attitude which was getting out of hand. The team hasn’t also been practicing because of other extra-curricular activities.

Although ANS usually fell short of winning the title in the City Olympics, their star players have always been part of the selection for the CVIRAA and Palarong Pambasna. Among the noted ANS players are Carlito “Shaq” Abadia, Rogelio Castellon Jr, Dan Villarico, Keith Ryan Arranguez and Prince Hanesim Anthony.

But ANS athletic director and football head coach Francis Ramirez said he is still confident of retaining the secondary title even without its football team.

“I am not that wary of the football team’s withdrawal because we can earn bigger points in other games like softball, baseball, sepak takraw and volleyball,” said Ramirez during yesterday’s opening ceremony of the annual multi-sporting meet at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Batted sports was where Unit 9 made a living in its 2011 victory. ANS was part of Unit 9 but will now be a stand-alone team this year after the changes made by organizers.

ANS will face the newly grouped schools which were divided into four teams each in the north and south districts. Another team will be made up of the best athletes of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc member schools.

Yesterday’s opening ceremony was highlighted by the unveiling of the tarpaulin copy of the official certificate of authentication of the Guinness Book of World Records given to Cebu for the biggest chess tournament  held last January. (see separate story)

Leading the opening were Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City division superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud, DepEd supervisor Babiolito Alberca, Cebu City division sports coordinator Zenaida Gocotano and Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco.

Bemedalled swimmer Michael Ichiro Kong of the University of Cebu (UC) lit the urn while UC arnis head coach Max Caballes led the oath of sportsmanship. UC’s Dexter Opalla led the oath of amateurism.

In the side events, ANS’ April Smith was the best muse in the secondary division while University of Southern Philippines-Foundation’s (USP-F) Jessa Marie Santos won the elementary title.

North District 1 and ANS were named the most disciplined schools in the elementary and secondary divisions, respectively.

The most colorful districts were North District 1 and Zapatera Elementary School under unit VI. North District 1 finished  the opening with three wins after it also won the most lively district in the elementary division

USC booters sizzle

Meanwhile, in football action at the University of San Carlos Talamban field, the elementary squad of USC started strong with a 3-0 win over Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.

Other winners in the elementary side were Bright Academy, a 3-1 victor over Springdale and  Don Bosco, a 3-0 winner against Camp Lapu-Lapu.

In secondary action, DBTC won by forfeiture against MMIS and Salazar also won by default over ANS.