CAGAYAN de Oro pride Ian Nietes Lariba, who at 12 years old then, became one of the youngest mainstays of the national training pool, will take centerstage in today's opening of the 13th Milo Little Olympics Mindanao.

Now turning 14, the table tennis ace from Corpus Christi School will lead the Oath of Amateurism before the Milolympics contestants, amusingly some of them coming from as far as Davao and Polomolok town in Cotabato region.

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"Ian is indeed an inspiration to the youth being a grandslam winner in the Palarong Pambansa, among others," regaled an elderly sporting buff Rene Ilogon, brother of former Bombo Radyo anchorwoman Dolly Ilogon and easily one of Lariba's avid followers.

Fellow standouts in other events who shared the Milo's MVP glories in its past editions will also take the spotlight as they'll proudly run the oval for the Entrance of the Olympic Flame and Lightning of the Urn.

In retrospect, one of the southpaw Lariba's memorable conquest this year was when she edged out her mentor, TSG Dario O. Hernane for the Class "A" Open Single title of the Inter-Barangay Table Tennis Championship held a few months ago at the 2nd floor of Carmen public market here.

"It's just not an ordinary feat kay mga senior ug mga kusgan nga lalake iyang gipangharos. And she's very good in doing that thing anytime anywhere.. all over again," mused Class A 2nd runner-up Aldwin Dacayanan. (Lynde Salgados)