Baguio City schools gear up as Prisaa opens

HOSTILITIES in all 18 sports, including seven team and 11 individual events in the collegiate level, along with action in the secondary level, get underway today, Tuesday, as the 60th Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) formally opened in Lingayen, Panagsinan.

Over 5,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 17 provinces are seeing action in the five-day tournament at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center.

University of the Cordilleras (UC) seeks another stellar performance in both women's basketball and softball hoping to better their bridesmaid finish last year and redemption from the disqualification in the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL).

"It was frustrating to lose again not in the field but in the drawing board," said UC athletic director Roel Costina, who earlier lost the sepak takraw title after ruling the event for 15 years and winning the national title late last year.

The Lady Jaguars are the reigning champion in women's basketball in the 26-year-old BBEAL.

University of Baguio is also sending its high school chess team eyeing another brilliant performance from Pangasinan native and top board player Brylle Gever Vinluan.

The region last year finished with three gold medals, two of which came from UC's Cesar Castaneto in athletics, 17 silvers, and 16 bronze medals, to finish the annual national collegiate championship at eighth place.

Prisaa national chairman Emmanuel Angeles said Prisaa national president Gonzalo Duque said all the venues, equipment and facilities in and outside the NRSCC are ready for use in the next five days of competitions.

The Prisaa board also confirmed on Monday that Tagum, Davao del Norte will be the host in 2014. (Roderick Osis)