CV athletes in major buildup for PRISAA National Games

CEBU, Philippines - Athletes comprising Central Visayas have joined clinics, tune-up games and a series of tournaments as part of their extensive preparations for the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games set from April 22 to 28 here in the Queen City of the South.

Being the host entails a lot of challenge for the region's bets, more so that they are the defending champion of the annual sports conclave.

PRISAA project director Bernard Ricablanca, however, assured that the CV athletes are prepared and ready to go up against the best athletes from other regions of the country.

Ricablanca said the Cevees are primed up to harvest gold medals in athletics, swimming, lawn tennis, table tennis, volleyball, beach volley and chess.

The multi-titled Lindley Fran Navaja of the University of Cebu (UC) will spearhead CV's campaign in athletics along with Dharl Pitogo, Ernesto Ybanez, Irene Baluran, Mary Joy Tabal and Lorna Olarita.

Bemedalled tanker Loren Dale Echavez of the University of San Carlos (USC) will be at the forefront of the region's bid for swimming supremacy, while the Siso siblings Bernardine, Sallydine and Sally Mae are the stars to watch out for in lawn tennis.

In table tennis, CV could rely on UC's Elonna Dane Tormis, Jennifer Jacalan and Cindy Babalcon, while the likes of Edward Ybanez (USPF), Mike Abria and Eleazar Sagarino (UV), Anna Bennova Sabanal and Jera Mae Pacinio (SWU) and Apple Eve Saraum (USPF) are the top bets in beach volley.

In the regular volleyball event, the Cevees will bank on CESAFI grandslam champion Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras in the women's dividion and the USC Spiking Warriors in the men's side.

On the other hand, Ricablanca said the billeting centers as well as the playing venues have already been identified.

Ricablanca added that they already asked persmission from the LTFRB to allow them to use public utility vehicles in transporting the athletes to and fro the playing venues.

If ever the renovation of the CCSC track oval will not be finished in time for the PRISAA week, the athletics competition will be staged at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in Brgy. Canduman, Mandaue City. - THE FREEMAN