Let the games begin
ILOILO CITY -- The 460-member Southern Mindanao delegation will be in full force as the 2015 National Prisaa Games unfurls at the Iloilo Sports Complex here this afternoon.
Some 6,000 delegates from 17 competing regions are vying for honors in the 20-event annual sportsfest with host Western Visayas eyeing to defend its overall title.
But Central Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) president Fr. Vic Uy, in a conversation at Diversion 21 Hotel here yesterday, said: “Babawiin namin ang titulo this year (smiles). Libre naman mangarap (laughs).”
Southern Mindanao Prisaa president Ma. Lita Montalban, for her part, said, “No. 3 target natin ngayon kasi No. 4 tayo last year.”
While some 100 delegates, mostly secondary athletes and coaches with some Southern Mindanao Prisaa officials who took a Cebu Pacific flight from Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, arrived here yesterday morning, the bulk of the delegation is arriving today. The first batch, including collegiate men’s and women’s teams that boarded six Rural Transit buses last Thursday is expected to arrive around 8 a.m. via passenger ship. This was confirmed by Southern Mindanao Prisaa president Ma. Lita Montalban, saying: “Yung nag-bus galing Davao will travel by boat from Cagayan de Oro. Nasa Cebu pa sila ngayon pero nandito na sila bukas ng umaga. Bukas din darating ang mga Tagum delegates na nagbarko.”
She added other delegates from Davao City are arriving via plane today.
“Lahat ng Southern Mindanao delegates nandito na lahat bukas para sa opening ceremonies na gaganapin sa hapon,” Montalban said.
She, however, is contemplating whether to require the entire delegation to attend the parade of delegations during the opening ceremonies that will be graced by Senate president Franklin Drilon.
“Titingnan pa namin kung lahat ba ng athletes sasama sa parade. Baka ang athletics hindi nalang siguro kasi early morning pa ang laro nila sa Sunday,” Montalban added.
The National Prisaa Board of Trustees held a meeting at Diversion Hotel 21 while delegations from other regions started to arrive as of yesterday presstime.
Senate president Franklin Drilon is the guest speaker while former world champion of the performing Arts Jed Madela, an ex-Iloilo Prisaa vocal solo champion, will provide entertainment during the opening rites.
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Iloilo Province Governor Arthur Defensor will welcome delegates while National Prisaa chair Emmanu- el Angeles will lead the hoisting of the national Prisaa and regional delegation flags.
Meanwhile, Central Philippine University will serve as billeting quarters of the Southern Mindanao Prisaa delegation. It will also host football, tennis, softball and swimming.
The rest of the playing venues: Citisports Badminton Court (badminton); University of San Agustin (baseball, baseball, beach volleyball, chess, dancesport, weight- lifting, karatedo, tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, cultural and Mutya ng Prisaa); Plazuela de Iloilo (boxing); John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (sepak takraw) and Hua Siong auditorium (table tennis).