Bisdaks take on long, meandering journey

MANILA, Philippines — The road to redemption for Team Visayas is long and meandering as host National Capital Region themselves are not only out to defend their turf but also seek a record-tying grandslam feat in the 6th Milo Little Olympics National Finals, which will formally kick off this afternoon at the Marikina Sports Center.

Team Visayas, simply known as the Bisdaks, is the first and only three-peat winner, so far, having swept the first three editions of the annual sports conclave featuring the best developmental athletes from across the country.

The Bisdaks'dream to complete the full cycle of the National MLO that would have earned them the historic perpetual trophy came crashing down after thet were dethroned by traditional powerhouse NCR in 2012

The Bisdaks hope to score a certain measure of revenge when they hosted the event last year, but NCR, despite not sending all their best athletes, successfully defended their crown to the disppointment of hometown bets. Losing to NCR by only six points in the overall tally, 615-609, was an added heart-breaker for the Bisdaks.

And as NCR shoot for its third successive title, it's truly an uphill battle for the Bisdaks as they attempt to regain their hallowed throne.

“We still do not have the athletes from UAAP and NCAA because of the conflict of schedule, but we are definitely more prepared this year. We have designed a sports program that is made for this event. We are going for a grandslam and we want to increase our lead in the overall standings against the rest especially against the Visayas region,” said NCR’s regional organizer Dr.Robert Calo in a press conference at Shakey’s along Roxas Boulevard here.

Aside from NCR though, two other teams are just as ready with Mindanao’s Megalonio Llamera saying they have a surprise team that can defeat NCR and its rival Visayas.

Team Visayas delegation head Ricky Ballesteros himself does not want to discount Mindanao saying that they missed the overall supremacy last year when they fell prey to Mindanao in the elementary basketball finals that cost them precious points.

“If Mindanao didn’t beat us in the basketball finals, we could have easily beat NCR. But we have learned our lessons well. Regaining the overall crown is a tall order, but we will definitely do our very best,” Ballesteros said.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremonies will take place at 5 pm today at the Marikina Sports Center, but the actual battle starts on Saturday yet.

An elaborate opening ceremony is being prepared for the 10,000 athletes, coaches, delegation officials and guests that will be gracing the event.

Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman will formally welcome the delegates, while Nestle Philippines President and CEO John Martin Miller will deliver an inspiration message.

Among the disciplines to be contested are athletics,  badminton,basketball,  chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, sepak takraw, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis and volleyball.

Aside from the outstanding individual and team performers as well as the grand champion, a total of 50 Most Outstanding Athletes will also be honored at the end of this multi-sport gathering, which is symbolic of Milo’s 50th anniversary. (FREEMAN)