CEBU CITY--Responding to the challenge, Mindanao team banked on taekwondo and swimming events to open its campaign here with an eleven-gold rush in the inaugural Milo Little Olympics National Finals at the Cebu City Sports Center.

In dominating its rivals from NCR,Luzon and host Visayas, the Mindanao jins fought like a house on fire racking up a blistering eight golds that virtually secured them the overall crown in taekwondo event.

"Sigurado na nga kita ang overall champion in taekwondo..dili na maapas atong walo ka gold," said taekwondo coach George Arsenal Jr.

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Laying the golden eggs on the mat floor were finweight Emil Dwight Oclarit, flyweight Joshua Latoza, featherweight Kevin Louis Sia, lightweight Josafat John Simon Licayan and distaff counterparts Iona Salvacion, Miguel Ragudo, Mary Anne Espina and Cyrmyn Perlas.

Taekwondo also delivered at least 5 silvers for Mindanao's cause through the efforts of Ace Phoenix Golez, Ryan Paulo Agudo, Aquima Mae Catayoc, Aichona Ong and Renato Sulatan apart from bagging four bronzes courtesy of Ivana Salvacion, Ducel Suarez, Aijo Ocamora and Alistair Gongob.

"Pasayloon na lang nato ang nagtamay kanato sa Mindanao. After all, na prove nato sa Mindanao that we're a force to reckon in this Milo Little Olympics," said Milo sports coordinator for Mindanao area, Megdonio Llamera, obviously referring to a volleyball coach from the host squad who earlier hurled uncalled for comments against the Mindanao contingent.

John Montalvan, Northern Mindanao's top sports executive, was also ecstatic after learning that Cagayan de Oro-based tankers JP Bondoc of St. Mary's School, Joshua Acain of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) and Micah Salilig of Xavier University also won golds in swimming competitions. Bondoc in 50m breaststroke, Acain in 100m breaststroke and Salilig in 100m girls breaststroke event.

A silver in relay also sparked Pia Carbajal to win a silver in 50m backstroke and a bronze in 50m freestyle events for elementary girls.

"Visayas region is on top in swimming rivalry with 8 golds to show on the first day. Wala nakapadala og kusog ang NCR ug Luzon kay nag preperarar sila sa G-League which is also a national championship in age-group level," said Oro's private swim trainer, Roy Rivera who also noticed CJ Pineda's bronze finish in 50m breaststroke.

Meanwhile, a 4-0 MOGCHS sweep of the highly-touted NCR woodpushers had set the tone for Mindanao's strong showing in chess event.

Mentored by Wenchito Teopiz, the foursome of Jesse John Orlanda, Abdul Khalid Musor, Jason Nabatlao and Ryan Dinagsao had completely outplayed the NCR opposition made up of Amansinaya Anonuevo, Dan Gabriel Dilao, Steaven Crenz Fulcher and Neil Collins Javier that NCR's Visayan-speaking coach Expedito Bolico could not help but show his great appreciation.

"It was a bitter pill to swallow for our players kay sukad-sukad karon pa sila katilaw nga naserohan. Kuyaw gyod ang mga chess players sa Mindanao," Bolico observed.

Aside from MOGCHS in secondary boys, Mindanao's elementary boys and girls chessers from Corpus Christi School are also in a fight for gold in today's championship round opposite the home ground bets.