Cebu City is victorious!
CEBU CITY – It's mission accomplished for the Queen City of the South. Host city Cebu displayed its might and showcased its depth with triumphs in nearly all sports disciplines to take the overall title after a week of competition in the 9th edition of the Philippine National Games (PNG) yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Complex here.
Games are still being played at press time in arnis, badminton, boxing, chess, dancesports and volleyball, but there is no stopping Cebu City from capturing the overall championship in the event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) with backing from Smart and STI.
As of 3 p.m., Cebu City – first time host in 21 years or since the 1997 PNG – has a total of 38 gold, 51 silver and 58 bronze medals.
The winning team, or the LGU (local government unit), will receive a windfall from both the PSC and President Rodrigo Duterte, who during last Saturday's opening ceremony pledged to double the amount the sports agency set aside – from R5 million to the champion to a cool P10 million.
The next four LGUs will be rewarded as well, with the second placer will receive R8 million, the third placer R6 million, fourth placer R4 million and fifth placer R2 million.
Baguio City is at second with 34-3240, followed by Mandaluyong City (2313-16), General Santos City (16-22-7) and Zamboanga City (14-6-13) in the multi-sports meet that saw 92 LGUs participate in 16 sports disciplines.
Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco, said not just skills and talent alone were responsible for their athletes’ success.
"For us, puso (heart) comes first, medals will follow later. That’s our philosophy,” said Hayco, who mentioned that most of the city's athletes are giving back by mentoring to around 10,000 children from less fortunate barangays.
According to Hayco, the financial reward will be used to build a new sports facility.
"Our athletes need it,” Hayco said. The centerpiece event of athletics and swimming as well as karatedo, weightlifting and taekwondo became a rich source of gold medals for Cebu City.
Former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist OJ Santos led Cebu City's charge as he won in karate while Ronette Ayuda, Joselou Rebalde, Prince Lee and Dexter Tabique bagged gold medals in athletics and weightlifting.