Cebu City is virtual champ

CEBU, Philippines - With an insurmountable lead heading into the final day of the competition, the powerhouse Cebu City Niños virtually sealed the overall championship of the 2016 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet yesterday at the  Teodoro Mendiola Sr. Sports field in Naga City.

Cebu City strengthens their lead after hauling 89 golds, 57 silvers and 51 bronze medals.

The Niños already had an a reason to celebrate as their closes pursuer Mandaue City collecting 43 golds, 37 silvers and 38 bronzes. Bohol is at third with 30-35-60 glits as Cebu Province occupied the fourth place with 27-33-40. Talisay City placed fifth with 19-15-16.

It’s a sure win for the Niños even if they will not win the gold medals in basketball and football that will be played today.

The Niños had a boost from their arnisadors who bagged five golds, three silvers and nine bronze medals, while the badminton team secured eight gold medals along with silver and two bronzes.

Cebu City also managed to get four golds from chess, while their elementary and secondary bets won the crowns in the softball event.

The Niños also ruled the elementary boys division of table tennis, while Eljey Dan Tormis and Kent Edwin Abellanosa chipped in one gold each in swimming. The trio of Karen Mae Indaya, Junvic Tiro and Justine Garrido also dominated the secondary girls relay team.

Cebu City jins seized a total of 18-3-3 glits, while their boxers finished the tournament with three golds, one silver and one bronze medal.

University of San Jose-Recoletos’ secondary boys and Southwestern University’s secondary girls volleyball squad also contributed gold medals for Cebu City after beating Cebu Province and Mandaue City, respectively.

Cebu Province bounced back after Catmon volleybelles won the gold medal in the elementary girls division.

Bogo City-native Jan Godfrey Seno snared the gold medal after defeating Bohol’s Ruscel Cero, 8-2, in the secondary boys singles tennis.

Zethley Alferez and Elizabeth Abarquez of Cebu City won the gold after outsmarting Cebu Province’s Marigos and Tabo-tabo, 8-2, in the doubles event. Cebu Province bounced back in the boys final with Febwendell Deja and Herbert Sarraga defeating Remouses Amba and Francis Lambayan, 8-6.

In basketball, University of the Visayas-powered Cebu City Ninos trounced Mandaue City bets and defending CESAFI secondary champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 83-65, in the semis, while Bohol dumped Lapu-lapu, 81-45.

Don Bosco Technological Center secondary football squad posted a 1-0 win against Cebu Province while Bohol scored an upset over defending champion Mandaue 3-2 via shootout in the semifinals.  (FREEMAN)