Joseph Ceniza, goalie of Cviraa, collides with an NCR booter. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
Legazpi City — The Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) erased the stigma of a frustrating campaign last year as it finished fourth overall in the 59th Palarong Pambansa, which drew to a close here yesterday.
The Bisdaks redeemed themselves from a disappointing sixth place finish last year, reclaiming its usual spot in the annual multi-sporting event by amassing 29 gold medals, 31 silvers and 29 bronze medals.
“We are very happy with the result,” said Dr. Luz Jandayan, chief of Education Support Service Division of the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7). “The children did their best. From the start, they were confident that they can deliver.”
It was a dramatic turnaround for the region, which could only muster 18 golds, 29 silvers and 29 bronzes in last year’s Palaro held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Region 7 finished fourth for eight straight years before finishing third as a host in the 2013 Palaro held in Dumaguete City. Interestingly, Region 7 also had 29 gold medals in that third place finish.
“The training that we had was a big help. I am also thankful for the support given by the superintendents and MAPEH supervisors,” added Jandayan.
The elementary athletes delivered 13 golds, 10 silvers and 12 bronzes, while the secondary athletes produced 16 golds, 21 silvers and 17 bronzes.
Coming up big for the region was its tracksters, who collected eight golds after contributing just three last year.
Gold medal winners in athletics for Cviraa were Rick Angelo Sotto (elementary high jump, triple jump), Engelbert Avenido (secondary high jump), John Marvin Rafols (triple jump and long jump), Samantha Gem Limos (100m and 200m dash) and Riza Jane Vallente (400m run).
NCR STILL CHAMPS
Many-time defending champion National Capital Region (NCR) once again dominated the competition pitting the country’s 18 regions with 104 golds, 57 silvers and 48 bronzes.
Region 4-A ranked second with 40 golds, 43 silvers and 59 bronzes followed by Region 6, which came up with 35 golds, 35 silvers and 39 bronzes. Duplicating its fifth place finish last year was Region 10, which gathered 25 golds, 24 silvers and 36 bronzes.
At sixth was the debuting Negros Island Region, which wound up with 21-28-39 (g-s-b) tally. Region 12 occupied the seventh spot at 20-20-20 followed by Region 3 at 17-14-28.
The Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (Caraa) suffered a huge drop as, after finishing fourth last year, it could only managed ninth with 12 golds, 19 silvers and 15 bronzes.
Completing the top 10 was Region 11, which had eight golds, 18 silvers and 19 bronzes.
Region 5 ranked 11th with eight golds, 15 silvers and 18 bronzes followed by Region 9 (6-7-15), Region 8 (6-3-9), Region 1 (5-11-21), Region 4-B (5-7-7), Region 2 (4-9-8), ARMM (3-4-10) and Caraga (1-5-11).
A referee pulls Cviraa goalie Joseph Ceniza out of the field after NCR players chased him following a commotion in the secondary division football finals. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
FOOTBRAWL AGAIN
The final day of competition saw Region 7 winning gold in the elementary girls volleyball and settling for silver in the secondary football competition.
Region 7 copped the elementary girls volleyball crown by downing Region 6, 25-16, 25-23.
Tension flared before NCR went home with the football crown, 2-1.
Thomas Glen Ramos started the scoring for Region 7 with a penalty kick in 12th minute.
NCR racked up two straight goals and Region 7 couldn’t answer.
A fight broke out halfway through the second half when Joseph Kei Ceniza got entangled with an NCR player. As Ceniza got up, NCR player Darryl Aban charged in and punched him in the mouth. Several NCR players tried to mob Ceniza but a referee pulled him out of the pitch.
Policemen rushed to the pitch that prevented a free-for-all.
It took several minutes before the game resumed.
Policemen also had to restrain a spectator at the grandstand who was seen yelling at game officials for allegedly allowing the NCR head coach to stay in the bench although he had already been tossed.
“My players were threatened and it affected them. I don’t know if he was a parent or part of the coaching staff, a man stormed the pitch during the commotion and told one of my players “bantay ka lang dong, kulatahon tika (watch out, I will beat you up),” said Region 7 coach Glen Ramos.
Ceniza, Aban and another NCR player Ealhwine Jehoiakim Dalam were ejected as a result of the fracas.
Ramos also lamented why the NCR head coach stayed in the bench although he was already ejected for continuous complaining.
But according to tournament manager Rufino Arellano, there was no irregularity when the NCR head coach stayed in the bench.
“The referee can always change his call. The referee initially slapped the coach with an ejection but he changed his call. Changing of a call is allowed if the game has yet to restart,” said Rufino.
Region 7 was 5-0 (win-loss) heading into the championship match.
“It was still a good a showing for us. NCR was a tough team. It was just unfortunate that we couldn’t take advantage when NCR lost two players,” said Ramos.
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