From left, Visayas Regional Organizer Ricky Ballesteros , Prof. Robert Melton Calo, Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez, Milo Sports Executive Robbie De Vera, Tess Bernardino, Megdonio Llamera and Von Cruz pose during a press conference for the Milo Little Olympics National Finals.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
Metro Manila—More than the expected challenge from their rivals in the 7th Milo Little Olympics National Finals in Santa Cruz, Laguna this weekend, athletes from Team Luzon are also battling a fiercer kind of foe.
Typhoon Lando which battered Northern Luzon and some parts of NCR over the weekend with massive floods and power outages, is expected to have jeopardized Team Luzon’s preparations and its bid to improve on its last place finish last year in Marikina City.
But Team Luzon’s 378-strong athletes braved floods in Ilocos Norte, crossed eroded highways in the mountain province and conquered an 11-hour road trip to Santa Cruz, Laguna hoping to spring a massive surprise in the biggest privately organized multi sporting meet in the country.
“The athletes from Luzon came to Laguna fresh from surviving Typhoon Lando. We overcame numerous challenges just to get here and we will compete this weekend in high spirits,” said Team Luzon delegation head Tess Bernardino yesterday during the meet’s launch at Shakeys Pizza in Roxas Boulevard in Manila.
Luckily, most of the athletes and teams were able to complete their training before “Lando” pummeled their region.
“Thankfully, Lando arrived in Luzon after we have completed our training, but it still left a huge emotional burden on the athletes,” added Bernardino.
Last year, team NCR scored a grand slam after winning its third straight overall championship with 647.5 points while archrival team Visayas finished second with 563 points. Team Mindanao (436 pts) and Luzon (393.5 pts.) brought up the rear.
Bernardino is pinning her hopes on their swimmers, tracksters, netters and taekwondo jins. Most of Team Luzon’s athletes are from the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).
RED CARPET ROLLED
Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez promised the 2,000 plus athletes an international standard event at the province’s massive sports complex.
Milo Sports executive Robbie De Vera, Visayas Regional Finals organizer Ricky Ballesteros, South Luzon and team NCR delegation head Dr. Robert Milton Calo, Bernardino and Mindanao delegation head Megdomio Llamera attended the presscon.
Hernandez told the press yesterday that everything is ready for the two day meet with security, medics and the traffic management groups on full alert.
Santa Cruz, Laguna hosted the 2014 Palarong Pambansa and most recently a national level track and field meet. “We are very thankful for Nestle Philippines and Milo for choosing Laguna to host the national finals this year because it will surely boost our province’s tourism program.
FOUR SIDED
BATTLE
The two-day meet is expected to be a close battle among the four regional finalists.
Calo told the three other delegations that his athletes won’t let them take away the overall title without a fight. ”It’s a battle of wits and strength.”
NCR is banking on San Beda College of Rizal and Dasmariñas II Central School of Cavite in the team events as well as its vaunted tracksters and tankers who are mostly Palarong Pambansa winners.
Ballesteros for his part said he is confident on the Ilonggo athletes to add to the much needed reinforcement. Team Visayas will be pinning its hopes on the ball games.
The opening ceremonies of the 7th Milo National Finals will be held at the Laguna Sports Complex at 1 p.m. Friday.