End of a sporting empire UC concedes defeat as USC-BED is virtual champ in Milo Little Olympics

CEBU, Philippines - Even if there is still one more day left of competition, perennial champion University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters have already raised the white flag, signifying a shocking end to an era of unmatched sporting dominance they established in the history Milo Little Olympics.

Though they are still leading in the overall tally as of this writing last night with 149.4 points followed by the University of San Carlos-Basic Education (USC-BED) with 126 points and Iloilo National High School with 57 points, there is no way the UC Webmasters could retain the throne they firmly held for the past 17 years as they have no more games left to play in the today's final battle mainly at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Counting the untabulated chess results where they won gold and silver in the girls and boys category, respectively, the Webmasters are good for a total of 174.5 points but ironically they don't have entry football, gymnastics, sepak takraw and scrabble.

In sharp contrast, USC-BED still has some championship matches to deal with - against Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in basketball and opposite Abellana National School in volleyball.  Aside from the sure 22 points in chess,  USC is also looking to reap more points in gymnastics event.

Granting USC will only settle for silver in all the remaining events, they will still come out the overall champion in the secondary division of the 18th Milo Little Olympics Visayas Regional Finals, something worth celebrating for by the Carolinian community but a stringy setback and bleak point to deeply ponder on by UC.

But UC athletic director Bernard Ricablanca, showing the true essence of sportsmanship, was gracious enough in accepting defeat, even as he took pride for the many years they have been dominating with authority the Nestle Philippines-bankrolled sports conclave.

"17 years is 17 years. Even the best teams in the world falter. US even lost in the Olympics. We just have to concede. We did our best, but USC is doing better. There are no regrets," said Ricablanca.

It's a clean sweep by USC-BED as they also virtually defended their elementary division crown with 162 points and still counting.

USC padded its lead courtesy of its track and field stars, who came through with scintillating performances in their respective events to rack up 60 points.

Mary Joy Loberanis may be one of the smallest runners on the field, but her star glittered the brightest as she powered USC-BED to overall championship in the elementary girls athletics. She handed a total of five golds for USC, three in individual events and two in relay.

Winning the relay was the most memorable for the young Carolinian as they got disqualified in both the 4x100m and 4x400m last year.

"The disqualification last year was really a tough one. At least now, they know better. It was really a lesson well-learned," said USC coach Arvin Loberanis.

Severo Duterte Memorial Elementary School is way behind USC-BED in the rankings with 30 points, while Talisay South Elementary School of Negros Occidental is lagged at third spot going into the final day with 27.5 points.

In secondary scrabble, the University of San Jose-Recoletos avenged its loss to the University of the Visayas via a tie-break, with Phil Robert Figues leading the charge. Phil's sister Sophie also vaulted USJ-R's elementary bets to a golden finish also over UV, while USC settled for bronzes in both divisions.

In secondary badminton, Southwestern University snared the gold over USC in straight sets, 2-0, while the boys side had USC winning the gold. In the elementary battle, USC bested Aloguinsan's Zaragosa E.S. for the gold in the girls class, while Banilad ES outsmarted Zapatera in the boys side.

In tennis, USC topped the secondary boys and Bright Academy in the distaff side, Lahug and Banilad ES claimed the golds in the elementary level. (FREEMAN)