‘Bisdaks are on fire’: Team Visayas out to spoil NCR's grandslam bid in Nat'l Milo Olympics

MARIKINA, Philippines — "The Bisdaks are on fire."

Thus declared Team Visayas delegation head Ricky Ballesteros, signifying the Bisdaks readiness to wage battle against the rivals in all fronts as games of the 6th Milo Little Olympics National Finals go full blast today mainly at the Marikina Sports Center.

Ballesteros said he had been talking to athletes and coaches as well and did some pep talk to them as they bid to not only to regain the overall supremacy, but also to spoil the grandslam dream of powerhouse National Capital Region in this multi-sport conclave bankrolled by Nestle Philippines.

As he pumped in words of encouragement to the entire delegation, Ballesteros found out that the Bisdaks are indeed hungry and determined to reclaim their lofty position on top of the pedestal they once enjoyed for three consecutive years.

"It's been two years that we've been missing the overall trophy. We missed the feeling of going home victorious that we are going to do everything to win," said Ballesteros.

Team Visayas will count the most from its elementary and secondary football teams, elementary volleyball and even in swimming even if two-time defending champion NCR claims to be very strong in swimming and athletics.

Aside from that, Ballesteros also has high hopes that the Ilonggo-speaking tracksters and taekwondo jins will deliver the goods for the team.

The elementary and secondary basketball squads are also expected to make up from their heart-breaking setbacks that cost Team Visayas the coveted overall title last year.

"We missed the overall crown right in our own turf last year because we lost in elementary basketball," said Ballesteros. "But right now, I'm confident that they can deliver well this time based on the regional eliminations where they beat their opponents by as much as 100 points."

And as the annual spectacle formally kicked off with another grand and elaborate opening rites last night, Team Visayas are really up to the challenge no matter how hard and difficult their road to redemption may be.

“We have been battered by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and hit by super typhoon Yolanda, all of it last year, yet we managed to give a very strong fight against NCR and landed second overall with only a six-point difference how much more this time when all is well again,” said Ballesteros.

Among the events to be contested in the three-day tilt are athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, sepak takraw, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis and volleyball.

Just like the first five editions, the overall championship will be determined through points and not medals to ensure maximum participation for all the competing regions.

Athletes will also go for the Most Outstanding Awards per sport. A total of 50 MOA will be named tomorrow during the closing ceremonies, coinciding with Milo's 50th year of existence in the country. (FREEMAN)