NMRAA aims top 4 finish in national palaro

Friday, November 25, 2011

ILIGAN CITY -- Missing virtually more than half of what they usually enjoyed in the past, yet Northern Mindanao athletes are deemed expected to perform better in next year’s Palarong Pambansa.

This, as regional director Raymund Antolo of the Bureau of Physical Education for School Sports (BPESS) in Northern Mindanao defended that the first ever clustered meet of the regional palaro -- which formally opened its second edition Friday at the 50-year-old Mariano Badilles Sports Center here -- is aimed towards achieving a highly-ambitious top-4 finish in the national palaro.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

“That’s our main target for clustering the regional meet. To make it to the elite top 4 cast in Palaro, which we believe is achievable by the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) team,” said Antolo during the solidarity meeting with technical officials and coaches from host Iligan, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Malaybalay, Misamis Oriental, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Tangub, Valencia and newcomer El Salvador, the second component city of Misamis Oriental province next to Gingoog.

Antolo’s pronouncement, however, drew a sharp reaction from the veteran coaches. Melo Dalman, who steered Northern Mindanao’s table tennis team to a gold finish in Palawan Palaro, said the NCR, Calabarzon, Central Visayas and Western Visayas are powerhouse teams that it’s seemingly impossible to dislodge them from the top 4 list.

“Sa Davao region lang daan nga dako kaayo’g scoop ilang pag-select sa athletes maglisod na ta. I think it’s not a realistic goal especially when we consider the latest happening here,” Dalman said, referring to the NMRAA’s departure from the old tradition replete with so much joy and excitement.

“Nag-expect ko nga mas mo-improve ang support nga tulo na ka bahin ang regional meet. Looy pag wala tay dala nga personal budget,” said Woman National Master Cecil Cuizon.

Cagayan de Oro athletes alone were seen in the opening program wearing shirt, pants and cap but without the usual sling bags and jacket uniforms.

“We’re each given P400 allowance pero wala na ang P800 nga shoes allowance. Wala na sab ang supply sa sabon pangligo ug panglaba, toothpaste ug uban pa,” said chess player Jason Chezter Coquilla.

Also, the ceremonial rites went so very ordinary and as short as the stout flagpoles that can be seen in the age-old sports edifice’s playing fields.

“Wala na ‘tong ilibot og dagan, isakay sa kabayo or ipana. Masindihan lang ang torch okay na. Just don’t be surprised,” was Iligan City Division head Serane Tortola’s early warning.

“Wala kulang na kaayo amg kabibo ingon man ang spirit of unity and camaraderie,” reiterated COAA’s reliable Eulogio Suaner Jr.

At least five sports disciplines namely basketball, volleyball, chess, table tennis and arnis will be contested here until Sunday. The remaining events, including the centerpiece attraction in swimming and athletics, will be decided at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro in the first week of December.