Cebu rules PRISAA Reg’l Meet 198 golds ahead of closest rival

Host Cebu dominated all but one of the sporting events featured in the three-day 2008 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Regional Meet, which came to a close yesterday at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Campus Gym.

In its final assault, PRISAA-Cebu hauled more than half of its second day output to ammass a total of 214 golds, 56 silvers, and 24 bronzes at the end of the multi-event gathering.

Cebu literally buried its rivals alive, with Bohol placing second with only 16 gold, 48 silver, and 14 bronze medals. Oriental Negros came in third with 15 golds, 112 silvers, and 23 bronzes.

Bohol got the chunk of its gold medals from softball title, thanks to host Cebu for not fielding in a team.

In last day of the competition, USC scored a twinkill in basketball event - both in merciless fashion. The Warriorettes annihilated Bohol, 103-35, while their men’s counterpart walloped Oriental Negros, 90-66.

The USC Warriors of coach Jay Ramirez and Mike Reyes were leading only by five early in the fourth period, but closed the game with an 18-0 bang to come up with a 24-point romp.

Outside the USC gym, the MLSDF-backed USJ-R Lady Jaguars scored a 3-0 sweep over FU, while USC bested the FU men’s squad in four sets for another sweep in volleyball event.

Over at the USC-Technological Center in Talamban, the Cebuanos escaped past OrNeg, 3-2, to take home the football championship.

OrNeg enjoyed a 1-0 lead at halftime courtesy of Michael Tulang’s goal at the 16th, but Marvin Abelas sneaked in a goal with just a minute gone by in the final half to knot the count at 1-all.

A goal by Paul Nino de la Victoria put Cebu in front, 2-1, but James Rubio of NegOr again tied the count, 2-all.

At crunchtime, lady luck smiled at the Cebuano booters as De la Victoria found the back of the new at the 77th to shut the lights off the Negrense visitors. Ironically, De la Victoria was handed a yellow card for removing his shirt after his second goal - an infraction of the FIFA rules.

At the Baseline Sports and Recreation Center, Cebu City got four golds for topping the men and women’s lawn tennis.

The hosts also ruled badminton and chess both in the men and women’s divisions. The karatekas sealed Cebu’s bid with 10 golds and a silver. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol