Region 7 surpasses goal

Dumaguete City—The ultimate goal was to finish not lower than fourth place.

Region 7 did just that as it finished third overall in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa, which finally came to a close yesterday after a week-long competition.

Region 7 was a consistent fourth-place finisher for eight straight years in the annual meet and the timing of moving up one rank higher couldn’t be any better as it improved its ranking while serving as  host to the sporting extravaganza.

“It was a double success. The hosting of the Palaro went smoothly and the standing of the region improved,” said Sal Jimenez, division superentindent of the Depart of Education in Negros Oriental. “ It was a challenge and it showed that if we have the needed focus, we can do it.”

Though it lost three of four championship games yesterday and despite a ho-hum performance in the medal-rich athletics and swimming, Region 7, composed of at least 400 athletes, bettered its ranking by amassing a total of 333 points in the general championship points.

Overall, Region 7 collected 29 golds, 46 silvers and 39 bronzes. The ranking of the 17 competing regions was determined through the general championship points (GCP).

Central Visayas couldn’t produce a single gold in swimming and athletics but winning golds in several team events made the difference. Medals in the team events merit bigger points than the medals won in individual events.

The secondary athletes accounted for 186 points, while the elementary athletes contributed 151. Region 7 tallied 305.17 points last year.

NCR REIGNS

As expected, the National Capital Region (NCR), emerged as the runaway champion with 596.5 points.  Region 6 duplicated its second-place finish last year with 446.34 points.

From fifth place last year, Region 10 moved up to fourth spot with 288 points followed by last year’s third placer Region 4-A with 250 points. Rounding out the top 10 were Region 3 (155), Region 12 (129.5), Region 1 (110.67), Region 4-B (107.67) and CARAA (104.7).

At eleventh spot was Region 11 (84.5) followed by Region 5 (68.34), CARAGA (51), Region 9 (29.17), ARMM (27), Region 2 (23.5) and Region 8 (10.67).

BIGGEST GOLD

Region 7 managed to snag the third spot despite the gold medal round losses of secondary boys football squad and the elementary and secondary girls volleyball teams.

It was a tough loss for the elementary volleyball girls, which went into the match as the gold medalist in the last two years. The team also won the championship in 2007, 2008 and 2009 before losing the crown in 2010.

Despite those losses, Region 7 still had a reason to celebrate in the final day of action as the secondary basketball team copped what was considered the “biggest gold” in the meet by beating defending champions NCR, 70-66, in their championship battle played in front a mammoth crowd at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Centre.

Composed mainly of players from the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, Region 7 took off to a blistering 17-2 start. Behind the sterling performance of big man Dawn Hynric Ochea in both ends of the floor, the team posted its biggest lead in the 6:37 mark of the second period, 29-12,

The Roel Rasmo-coached Region 7 brought a 37-24 lead into the final half before NCR, powered mostly by players from the San Sebastian Baby Stags, rallied in the payoff period.

NCR, handled by head coach Bernie Mercado, forced the first deadlock of the game at 69-allwith 3:16 left.

Ochea muscled his way into the paint for a crucial basket then NCR came up with a split free to stay within a point, 66-67, with 1:21 seconds to go.

Ochea scored again in the paint off a nifty pass from Art Araw-Araw as Region 7 took a crucial 69-66 lead, 52.1 seconds remaining.

NCR turned the ball over in the next but Region 7 couldn’t put the game away when Araw-Araw missed two freethrows with 27.4 ticks to go.

NCR missed a potential game-tying three-point shot, collared two straight offensive rebounds but still failed to buy a basket.

Region 7 finally retained the ball with 7.7 seconds left only to see Jair Igna bungle two free throws. Region 7’a Jan Jaboneta collared the offensive rebound but Region 7 still failed to deliver the finishing touches when he failed to convert from the free throw line.

NCR again failed to secure the rebound as Igna gobbled up the loose ball with 1.1 seconds left. He finally iced the win for Region by sinking one of his two free throws.

Igna led the way for Region 7 with 16 points anchored on four triples. Ochea finished with 14 points in a performance that drew praises from his coaches.