PRISAA regionals open today

CEBU, Philippines - Go for gold!

This is Team Cebu City’s battle cry as they defend the overall championship in the Private School Athletic Association (PRISAA) Regional Meet, which opens this 3pm at the Janssen Oval of the Holy Name University (HNU) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Cebu City will try to duplicate its feat last year when it swept the titles in all of the sporting events.

“We really made it sure that we sent all the best athletes in the regionals so that our chances of maintaining to be on top will be brighter. Hopefully, we will be able to go back to Cebu with all smiles in our faces,” said Cebu coordinator Bernard Ricablanca.

 Since 1997, Cebu stayed unbeaten against Dumaguete City and Bohol.

PRISAA National President Fr. Vicente L. Uy, SVD, however, said that this year, Dumaguete will only be sending a basketball and a karatedo team since they declined to participate in the rest of the events.

This would be an added boost to Cebu City’s great chance of claiming the overall regional title once again.

Central Visayas is also the defending overall champion in the National PRISAA.

Interestingly, Cebu’s bid for back-to-back overall championships would somehow be close at hand with a home court advantage as the Queen City of the South will be hosting the National PRISAA on April 22-28.

Leo Delusa and Rameses Mellomida, gold medallists in the National PRISAA Games will be spearheading the lighting of torch followed by the oath of sportsmanship to be led by Florentino Dumayac III, chess gold medallist during the University Games in Roxas City last year.

Governor Edgar Chatto of the Province of Bohol is the invited guest speaker while Bohol PRISAA president, Atty. Dionisio Balite will declare the games open.

 Team Cebu City arrived in Bohol yesterday. The competitions will start tomorrow at the different venues in Tagbilaran City and Bohol province. (FREEMAN)