Linggayen, Pangasinan — Two-time defending champion Team Visayas and the National Capital Region (NCR) renew their torrid rivalry in sports as the third Milo Little Olympics National Final opens today in various venues in this western Luzon province known for its luscious milk fish.
And as the country’s best basic education athletes brace for a weekend of hot, no-holds-barred athletic battles, the big question hovering over the host city is: Will the Bisdaks stage another Houdini act against NCR and claim the coveted Perpetual Trophy?
The Perpetual Trophy is awarded to a team that wins three straight overall titles.
Team Visayas barely beat NCR in the final tally last year, scoring 568 points against the latter’s 553 or a margin of just 15 points for its second overall title.
However, as far as Team Visayas delegation head Ricky Ballesteros is concerned, a three-peat for the Bisdaks looks more daunting this year after NCR decided to field its best athletes in all 12 sports disciplines.
Then there’s last year’s third placer Team Mindanao and host Luzon which is banking on its familiarity of the terrain to stun the favored squads.
BATTLE OF THE BEST
“This the battle of the best, the very best athletes in the country will compete for glory and supremacy,” said Milo Sports Executive Patricio Goc-Ong during yesterday’s press conference held at the President’s Hotel in Linggayen.
A total of 1,500 athletes will compete head-to-head for the golds.
NCR delegation head, Roberto Calo said they will try to fulfill their goal of becoming the overall champion but acknowledged that they face formidable odds to fulfill it.
“I hope the challenge we offer will be like the ongoing Southeast Asian Games and we are very hopeful we will be able to dethrone Team Visayas. Magkakahirapan na ito,” said Calo.
Ballesteros countered that the Bisdaks have learned from their mistakes in the past and will be never be dethroned.
“We will bring back the Perpetual Trophy to its birth place, which is Cebu,” said Ballesteros.
The Bisdaks pin their hopes in gymnastics, badminton, sepak takraw and table tennis while NCR is a major threat in swimming and athletics.
Goc-ong is expecting new records this year while Tess Bernardino, the delegation head of Luzon, said they will do their best to end Visayas’ reign.
OPENING CEREMONIES
During yesterday’s opening ceremonies at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, the participants were treated to a colorful show of Pangasinan’s rich cultural history in a festive program which also showcased the Pangasinenses’ unique way of living.
Adding hep and vibrance to the opening program were the “Saludo” numbers prepared by the competing delegations.