Team Visayas is all geared up for the National Milo Little Olympics slated this weekend at the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex in Linggayen, Pangasinan.
The two-time defending champion gunning for a third straight national title is composed of 303 athletes and 44 coaches.
The team is set to arrive in Pangasinan tomorrow. The opening is set on Friday.
Visayas delegation head Ricky Ballesteros is optimistic about the team’s chances of bagging the Perpetual Trophy.
He said the team will be banking on the team sports to try to outclass other teams, including perennial contender National Capital Region (NCR).
Among the top contenders according to Ballesteros will be the football team composed of booters from the Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC), the Catmon Elementary School girls volleyball squad, and the boys of the Abellana National School (ANS) volleyball team.
“It’s a given that swimming and track and field is NCR’s forte but I think we have a big chance in winning in these sporting events in the secondary division competition,” said Ballesteros.
Visayas is also banking on performances of its athletes in badminton, sepak takraw and table tennis, which will be manned by the Banilad Elementary School, ANS and the University of Cebu, respectively.
Meanwhile, chief organizer Tess Bernardino said the hosts are ready for the multi-sporting event.
“We are set and ready to go,” said Bernardino.
According to Bernardino, the opening program will be a musical with a historical theme of Pangasinan.
Regarding the host team’s chances, Bernardino said they will be doing their best to improve their ranking.
They placed fourth last year behind Visayas, NCR and Mindanao, respectively.