It’s official: the University of San Carlos-Basic Education Department (USC-BED) is now the new team to beat in the Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals.
The Warriors celebrated a historic feat yesterday when they were awarded the secondary and elementary titles in this annual multi-sporting event which is the basis for the selection of athletes for team Visayas that will compete in the National Milo Little Olympics.
USC-BED completed the title sweep when it finally dethroned the University of Cebu (UC) for the secondary crown.
The Warriors ended the Webmasters’ 17-year reign in the secondary division after finishing the two-weekend competition with 227 points, 51.25 points clear of UC’s 175.75.
Last year, USC–BED came close to dethroning UC but failed in the end as the Webmasters managed to hold on to the title with 176.25 points against the Warriors’ 161.5.
USC-BED continued its dominance in the elementary side by scoring a total of 245.25 points.
“We have waited so long for this to happen,” said USC-BED’s athletic chief Saturnino Mayormita during yesterday’s awarding ceremony at the activity center of the Elizabeth Mall. “We have been very patient with our sports development program and now here we are on top. We hope that we will maintain this kind of achievement.”
USC-BED bagged P40,000 for its win in the secondary division. UC won P20,000, which it will donate to the victims of the oil spill in Cordova town. Abellana National School, the third placer, received P10,000.
Loud chants of “USC Forever!” from USC-BED’s athletes, coaches and supporters were heard at the Elizabeth Mall during the awarding.
Next on the line for the Warriors will be the National Milo Little Olympics slated Oct. 25 to 27 here in Cebu. Team Visayas is looking to reclaim the national title from bitter rival National Capital Region (NCR).
Because of its victory, USC will make up the core lineup of the Bisdaks for the nationals.
Visayas delegation head Ricky Ballesteros said he is excited for the National Finals, especially with the new cast of athletes from USC–BED that will man team Visayas.
NEW POWERHOUSE ON THE RISE
“It’s been 17 years for UC to dominate the secondary division,” said Ballesteros. “This year it’s a different story. A new powerhouse is on the rise. USC’s determination and hard work paid off.”
Ballesteros said the victory of USC-BED only shows that competition in the region has improved. And this is a big boost for Team Visayas.
“USC’s wins in both the elementary and secondary divisions signifies that the level of competition improved a lot. So I am confident we can take back the national title from NCR here in Cebu.”
The Bisdaks won the first three editions of the National Finals before losing it to NCR last year in Marikina City.
Cebu last hosted the National Finals in 2009, which was the maiden edition of the nationals.
Mayormita said he will advise the coaches of his team to double their efforts in training for the upcoming National Finals and other multi-sporting events in the future.
“We will be discussing that matter because it’s important to maintain this kind of performance from our athletes,” said Mayormita. /Dale G. Rosal, Correspondent