UC takes overall lead

CEBU, Philippines - Despite being upstaged by the visiting Ilonggo tracksters in their favorite athletics event, the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters stayed on course to defend their throne as they now take the lead in the overall standings after three days of intense action in the 17th Milo Little Olympics Visayas eliminations at the Cebu City Sports Center.

UC now has accumulated a total of 90 points followed by Iloilo National High School and University of San Carlos with 57 and 54.3 points, respectively.

USC, however, sets the pace in the elementary division with 58.25 points. Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu is at temporary second place with 36.45 points, while Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) stands at third with 32.45 points.

At the end of athletics competition, UC bagged the overall title in the men’s side, thanks to the disqualification of Iloilo’s 4x4 100m relay team. An early start for its second and third runner caused Iloilo the misfortune.

Raul Perez, Jr. spotlighted what had been a productive day for UC in the track oval after he emerged as the meet's fastest man.

Perez ruled the century dash in 11.8 seconds as USC’s Paul Gorgonio timed 11.54 to settle for the silver medal.

Iloilo, however, shone the brightest in the girls division. In the elementary category, USC ruled in the boys division, while SHS-AdC reigned supreme in in the distaff side.

UC, which used to be so powerful in table tennis, now shares the limelight with Beatriz Durano of Memorial National High School.

The UC boys overcame a tough final battle against Don Bosco Technology Center in the secondary division, but their female counterparts fell prey to Severo Duterte of Memorial Elementary School.

It’s a double celebration for SDMES as it also ruled the elementary girls class as the Cebu City Central School topped the boys action.

In sepak takraw, Abellana National School survived a thrilling three-set showdown against Catmon’s bets, 15-8,15-11,15-13.

The end of elementary badminton saw Banilad ES sweeping the golds at stake, with the boys team defeating former powerhouse Sogod and its girls squad dumping Talamban ES.

The University of the Visayas, on the other hand, reasserted its dominance in gymnastics.

After lording it over in the men’s artistic, UV topped the women’s bracket for both the elementary and secondary level of the Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics as well as the elementary WAG.

In one of the hotly-contested events, many-time champion Pajo National High School voleybelles were dethroned by Southwestern University (SWU) in a five-set thriller, 25-23, 24-27, 20-25, 26-24, 15-11. Pajo coach Fr. Rolando T. Manayon walked out of the match in frustration.

Later in the night, PAREF-Springdale defeated Abellana National School, 1-0, to lift the third place trophy in secondary football. (FREEMAN)