Davao chessers, cagers, netters, spikers shine

POWERHOUSE Davao City swept the men's and women's chess, men's basketball, men's tennis and men's and women's volleyball titles of the 2013 Southern Mindanao Region Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) Meet held in Tagum City over the weekend.

The Roel Modina-coached Davao City tallied a total of 5.5 points to emerge champion in men's team standard chess, while Davao del Sur earned 3.5 points to settle for the runner-up honors.

Davao del Norte placed third with three points in the chessfest held at University of Mindanao Tagum College (UMTC) library.

Kenneth John Tabada, Clark Kent Anabieza and Robert Mendez of Jose Maria College played Boards 1, 2 and 3 for Davao City while University of Mindanao's Danilo Engay Jr. was Board 4 player.

The latter, however, failed to qualify to the national championship set on February 11 to 16 in Pangasinan.

Tabada, Anabieza and Mendez will be joined by Jun Mark Baldesimino of Cor Jesu College of Digos and UMTC's R. Ibao instead in the nationals.

In the distaff side, the Ronnie Tabudlong-mentored Davao City garnered 6.5 points while Davao del Sur finished with 5.5 points. Davao del Norte had zero. UM Davao's Exiquila Apao, Cristy Grace Ngo and Cyrille Gwynn Vidad and JMC's Erna Liwanan bannered the city chess squad. They are all going to advance to Pangasinan with reserve player Emily Cañada of CJC.

Over at the Rotary Park, Davao City dribblers hacked out a rousing 92-47 win over Davao del Norte's UMTC squad. The team was composed of UM Davao's Stann Apurada, Chedric Bitagan, Neil Carlo Cosal, Froilan de Dios, Miguel Plata, Victor Manuel Rabat, William Jay Remolar, Reggie Rivera and Rey Anthony Suerte, Agro-Industrial Foundation College's Gabriel Dagangon and Roel Garcia and DMMA College of Southern Philippines' Michael Jordan Sebandal with coach Wilson de Dios at the helm and Mikhail Fernandez as his assistant.

Davao City men's and women's volleyball teams defeated UMTC-bannered Davao del Norte in separate championship games held Sunday afternoon at UMTC. Davao City men demolished Davao del Norte, 19-25, 25-21, 25-22 while the Davao City volleybelles overcame Davao del Norte, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21.

This came on the heels of Davao del Norte's successful title-defense in men's and women's beach volleyball. Davao del Norte beat Davao City, 21-7, 21-15 in men's beach volleyball finals while their women spikers spanked Davao del Sur, 21-2, 21-9 at the Volleydrome.

In men's tennis, Davao City defeated Davao del Norte in two straight sets, 2-0, with Ronel Matutina playing in first single while Kayze Ryan Hibaya and John Victor Valenteros combining efforts in doubles. Rowe Comonal also formed part of the team mentored by Raul Bulaclac.

Both Davao City women's basketball and tennis teams booked automatic slots to the nationals having no rivals in the regional meet. (Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan)