Magis Eagles soar to cloud nine

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Do more what is expected of you.

Personifying that Magis Eagles spirit, the tough-fighting athletes of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu went on to claim the school's first ever overall championship in the secondary division of the 20th Milo Little Olympics Visayas regional finals, which formally dropped off its curtains yesterday at SM City here.

At the end of the three-day athletic meet bankrolled by Nestle Philippines, SHS-Ateneo has accumulated a total of 130 points, enough to spoil the grandslam ambitions of dethroned two-time champion University of San Carlos which settled for only second place this time with 107 points. The University of San Jose-Recoletos bagged the third place honors with 72 points.

Rounding up the top 10 cast in the secondary level were Central Philippines University (65 points), Bacolod's Taytung High School (47 points), University of St.La Salle-Bacolod (45 points), Hua Siong College of Iloilo (37 points), Southwestern University (30 points), and Dumangas National School (26 points).

It was actually a double delight for SHS-Ateneo as it also wrapped up the runner-up trophy in the elementary category with 70 points, just two points behind back-to-back champion USC.

Subangdaku Elementary School of Mandaue City wound up third with 50 points followed by Talamban Elementary School and Trinity Christian School with 40 and 38 points, respectively.

Completing the top 10 performers in the elementary level were San Matias Elementary School and University of Bohol with 35 points each, Central Philippine University with 31 points and Maslog Elementary School of Danao and St. John Institute of Bacolod with 30 points apiece.

"We are suprised with this but at the same time also very thankful. We are sending a lean, but mean team with only over a hundred athletes.We just always tell them (athletes) to go all out. We are also thankful for the support of the school administration and the parents for this victory," said SHS-AdC athletic director Rico Navarro.

SHS-AdC had already snared a crown in the elementary department some years back, but never got a title yet in the secondary division. Its previous best finish is either at fifth or sixth spot.

But as emboldened in its mission and vision,  SHS-AdC has continued to look for ways and means to improve not only in academics but also in sports that eventually led to this breakthrough triumph.

SHS-AdC sealed its landmark win with a golden performance in secondary boys basketball, beating Taytung-Bacolod in their final match, 88-79. The Ateneans claimed bronze in secondary football after beating Central Philippines University, 1-0, even as they also came out strong in athletics, swimming, tennis and volleyball.

In secondary football, Paref-Springdale consummated a rare three-peat after defeating the Don Bosco Technology Center, 1-0, in an all-Cebu finale at La Paz's plaza. Paref-Springdale's team captain Enzo Ceniza delivered the winning goal via penalty kick at the 20th.

Over at University of San Agustin's Sambag campus, USJ-R scored a resounding twinkill in secondary volleyball. The Josenians bested the SHS-AdC belles in straight sets, 25-7, 25-17, 25-14, while their boys counterparts prevailed over Iloilo's Dumanggas NHS in a five-set thriller, 25-16,19-25, 25-12, 23-25, 15-10.

In the elementary level, Subangdaku reigned supreme in boys division, while five-time Visayas and national champion Catmon Elementary School lorded it over the girls side after crushing SHS-AdC, 25-19, 25-20.

USJ-R also scored a double victory in scrabble after surviving against Cebu City Science High in the secondary division and against the University of the Visayas in the elementary level.

The end of the athletics event saw San Matias E.S. dominating the elementary boys class over Talamban ES, but the girls side had Talamban ES taking the top spot. In the secondary division, USC topped the boys battle, while host Iloilo ruled in the distaff side.

In taekwondo, the last event to be contested, the University of Cebu glittered with golds behind the efforts of Veronica Garces, Mary Jocelyn Sullaton, Warren Rama, and lightweight Luiji Estrada. Heavyweight Zozen Prajes won silver medal, while Daniel Sator, Mayn Coran and Kisha Barro finished with a bronze each. (FREEMAN)