Crucial battle looms ahead as swimming event unwraps

CEBU, Philippines - The swimming competition of the 17th Milo Little Olympics at the Cebu City Sports Center today is projected to be the most thrilling battle ever as far as the Visayas leg is concerned as this will be the determining factor for the overall supremacy in the six-day sports conclave bankrolled by Nestle Philippines.

The undefeated secondary division champion University of Cebu (UC) hangs on tough on its throne as it posted only 90 points at the end of athletics, scrabble, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball events.

UC enjoys only a marginal 12-point lead over the University of San Carlos-BED with 77.8 points followed by the University of the Visayas (UV)-Main with 70 points.

The fourth to 10th placers in the overall rankings heading into the penultimate day of action are Abellana National School (67.3), Iloilo National High School (60), University of Southern Philippines Foundation (45), Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (42.5), Cabancalan National High School (37), Southwestern University (26.5) and Don Bosco Technology Center (26.3).

Aside from dethroning the UC Webmasters, USC also looks forward to reaffirm its supremacy in the elementary division. The Carolinians are currently on top of the head with 70.5 points.

Breathing down USC's neck are UV with 61.25 points and SHS-AdC with 39.45 points.

Rounding up the top 10 cast in the elementary level are Cebu Institute of Technology-University (32.5), University of San Jose-Recoletos (30.5), Banilad Elementary School-Mandaue (30), Cebu City Central School (27), Talamban ES (26.25), Severo Duterte Memorial ES, Tejero ES and Catmon ES (25) and Pardo ES (23.7).

Aside from swimming, two sporting events are left undone - secondary badminton and chess.

USC and UC are expected to split the top honors in chess and badminton, thus, swimming will play a crucial part in the race for top honors. - THE FREEMAN