UC, USC brace for final battle

The tankers of 16-time secondary champion University of Cebu (UC) surprised the University of San Carlos-Basic Education Department (USC-BED) at the penultimate day of the 17th Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals at the Cebu City Aquatic Center.

The swimming defending champion USC-BED is staring at a possible upset on the pool after bagging only two gold medals yesterday against UC’s 10.

This development has virtually sealed UC’s 17th straight crown as the Webmasters continue to lead the overall points standings with 106.25 points.

USC-BED is currently running second with 91.5 points but will have a difficult time catching up in today’s final day with just chess and swimming left to be disputed.

USC-BED is currently leading the chess competition worth 30 points but UC is surprisingly dominating swimming worth 60 points.

USC-BED could have had a greater chance of ending UC’s reign in the secondary competition if it wins  the swimming and chess events.

UC, SWU TOP BADMINTON

Badminton wrapped up yesterday with UC winning the boys competition and Southwestern University (SWU) topping the girls’ side anew.

UC’s 13-year old swimming sensation Michael Ichiro Kong led the Webmasters’ charge in swimming by capturing five gold medals by topping the 200-meter individual medley, 400m freestyle, 100m and 200m backstroke and 100m butterfly.

He also went on to break his own record in the 200m IM by posting a time of two minutes and  28 seconds, beating the old record of 02:32.

UC’s girls team composed of Shane Allen Pareja, Trina Caneda, Danielle Mae Ballesteros, Annita Monterola and Beth Mae Arellano also managed a gold each. They won in the 100m breast, 200m freestyle, 200m back, 200m freestyle, 4×50 and 4x100m medley relays.

“We are used to being pressured so I knew we would do something good for our team,” said UC swim coach Rolando Alvarez, who is also the head coach and trainer of the vaunted Cebu Blue Marlins swimming team.

USC-BED’s swimming head coach Ronald Manlosa, meanwhile, said he already expected UC to dominate the event. He said his current lineup is composed of newbies since most of his top tankers have graduated.

“What’s important for me is that Visayas have strong and talented swimmers,” said Manlosa.

USC-BED got a gold medal in the 4×100 freestyle relay and another from fourth-year high school tanker Cynthjune Goden, who broke his own record in the 200-meter breast with a time of 02:45, beating his 02:55 clocking last year.

UC’s badminton team secured 16.25 points after Fritz Michael Sagaad defeated Carmen National High School’s Nino Quindao, 21-11, 21-19, in the singles event and Carlo Alisoso and Christian Orot won over Kyle Bosquit and Karl Alprecito, 21-17, 18-21, 23-21, in the doubles competition.

Defending champion SWU defeated the heavily favored lineup of USC in the girls secondary division worth 15 points. SWU got a total of 20.5 points from its badminton squad after its boys team bagged 5.5 points for finishing with a bronze.

The chess competition will continue at the USC-South Campus.

USC is undefeated after five rounds both in the elementary and secondary divisions.

USC and UC are tied in the secondary girls competition but the Warriors have the lead because of a higher tie break score.

In the elementary division, USC-BED still leads  with 70.25 to virtually secure its third straight crown.

Meanwhile, the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) defeated Saint Thomas Learning Center of Danao City in the championship match of the football elementary competition, 4-0.