DC batters defend titles

DAVAO City men's baseball and women's softball teams blanked respective rivals to defend their titles in the 2013 Southern Mindanao Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) Meet held at the E-Park in Tagum city over the weeekend.

The University of Mindanao (UM) Davao-bannered city squad, a reigning national Prisaa champion, hacked out a 2-0 win over Davao del Norte in their baseball titular showdown.

Nobby Rich Abas, Charles Kevin Ambulo, Edgardo Baniog, Jose John Cortes, Earl Ryan del Socorro, Rodrigo Garcia, Roy Vic Gelvero, Howell Jera, Jr., Paul John Juson, Gennie Lumictin, Emmanuel Rivera, Jose Franco Serra and Mark Anthony Takahashi combined forces to secure the win for the team coached by Joaquin "Boy" Sarabia and nephew Vincent Ryan Sarabia.

In women's softball, the Ma. Cecilia Miras-mentored Davao City team crushed Davao del Norte, 3-0, in the finals.

Miras relied on the services of Evelyn Tampos, Carla Vince Busalla, Michelle Solon, Lorelyn Polistico, Marichu Ihalas, Michelle Sabud, Mirasol Molde, Jecelle Ihalas, Ma. Pauline Zambrano, Guada Lourdes Rojas, Jenesa Pavia, Anjellieh Lagura and Reneline Calibayan.

The champion teams will represent the region to the National Prisaa Championship slated Feb. 11 to 16 in Pangasinan.

Davao City also ruled men's badminton over Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte that placed second and third, respectively. Davao del Sur women shuttlers, however, captured the crown at the expense of next two placers Davao City and Davao del Norte.

Davao City men table paddlers topped men's table tennis while Davao del Sur was second and Davao del Norte third.

Davao del Norte, meanwhile, lorded over Davao City in sepak takraw.

Prisaa 11 executive director Boy Sarabia, during the coaches' briefing, said athletics and swimming events will yet be played on Saturday and Sunday at the DMMA College of Southern Philippines (DCSP).

"The Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City was not yet turned over by its contractor to the provincial government in time for our regional meet so there is no other alternative venue for athletics and swimming. We decided to postpone for another weekend the holding of these events in Davao City instead," Sarabia explained.

In a separate interview, Davao del Norte sports coordinator Giovanni Gulanes said the 11-hectare P243-million sports facility will only be turned over to the government after it has been completed.
"The contractor had difficulty putting up the second layer of the rubber for the track oval due to the recent onset of rains," Gulanes said.
Prisaa 11 is set to submit the list of Pangasinan-bound athletes next week and speed up preparations for their stint in the nationals.