City High, Canitoan in hot start
GRAND slam champion Cagayan de Oro National High School (CDONHS) and Canitoan National High School (CNHS) pulled opening wins in the 4th Cagayan de Oro Inter-Public School 17-under boys division, over the weekend, at West City Central School covered courts here in Barangay Carmen.
The CDONHS or City High Tigers signaled the alarm bell in their bid for a four-straight title after thrashing Tablon National High School Archers, 8342.
Angelo Mercado turned out to be City High’s newest hotshot as he finished high with 16 points.
Tigers coach Bismark Labadan has groomed Mercado as back-up offensive leader last year for main playmakers Jomari dela Piedra and Coycoy Hermoso, who are both out of playing years in the league this year.
Their younger team, the jr. Tigers also beat Tablon jr. Archers, 3921, in the league’s game opener.
Canitoan NHS Blazing Bricks, on the other hand, made their presence felt after defeating Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) Cavaliers, 6561, in another 17-under battle.
Rafael Abella, a former top scorer for the jr. Blazing Bricks, has shown maturity as he led the senior team with 17 points.
Gerome Jalalon also scored high with 22 markers for MOGCHS’ losing cause.
In other 15-under division matches, Patag National High School jr. Snipers nipped Macasandig National High School jr. Fire Dragons, 61-59; while Carmen National High School jr. Sky Thunders prevailed over MOGCHS Legends, 56-53.
Defending champion MOGCHS lady BBGs successfully opened their campaign for another title in the secondary ladies division after defeating guest team Xavier University Junior High School jr. lady Crusaders, 39-6.
Another guest team Corpus Christi School lady Knights of coach Catrina Pong-Biongcog finally graduated from being a rookie as they stunned the City High Tigresses, 44-38.
In the elementary wars, Pagatpat Elementary School baby Spartans nipped City Central Blue Stingers, 25-23; while Bulua Central School Claymakers routed City Central Yellow Stingers, 23-13.
Meanwhile, City sports consultant and overseer Paul Douglas “Rocky” Calingin delivered an inspiring message during the opening of the league on Saturday.
Calingin, a known sports patron and former overseer in the Misamis Oriental Capitol, pledged to bring this one-of-akind league to City Mayor Oscar Moreno for full support.
He was amused how the league established by public schools mushroomed in numbers for four leagues of existence.
From 30 in the last conference, the league has close to 40 teams this season.
Commissioner Raul Fuentes also thanked the support of Eulogio Suaner Jr., Department of Education Cagayan de Oro division sports coordinator, Rosalio Vitorrilo, chief SGOD, and DepEd schools division superintended Jonathan dela Pena, PhD, CESO V.