Regions step up vs NCR for 2012 Palaro

SPORTS teams from regions all over the Philippines gear up as this year's Palarong Pambansa draws nearer.

With less a week left before the Palaro, the teams are exposed to rigorous trainings and preparations for different sports events. Thus, the competition heats up as the regions are set to snatch the over-all championship title from the National Capital Region (NCR).
 
Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC expresses his excitement to see for himself the skills of this year’s set of players. “This year’s Palaro promises to be very exciting since I have heard about how the regions have been preparing to dominate the games and to grab the championship from the NCR,” said Luistro.
 
NCR has been dominating the Palaro for several years and is now considered a traditional champion. This year, however, the Palaro is shaping up to be different. Athletes from regions all over the country are ready to pose a challenge against the perennial champion.
 
As the trainings intensify, arnis tournament manager Wilfredo Yap shares that “all regions are having early trainings and conducting friendly competitions to prepare their athletes.”
 
The regional delegations have yet to benchmark this year as to what particular sports events they will most likely win. Judging from the assessment of tournament managers of the sports events, the regions share their own forecasts as to where they will most likely excel.
 
Ilocos Region, Soccsksargen and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are expected to perform well in Taekwondo while Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley are aiming to grab a spot in gymnastics. In volleyball, Ilocos region, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, are expected to be the major players while Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Calabarzon are presumed to dominate the swimming competition.
 
Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Davao Region will battle out to notch the crown in the baseball competition. On the other hand, Cagayan Valley and Western Visayas are anticipated to compete head-to-head in football.
 
Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas and Davao Region are anticipated to bid for the championship title in softball. Sepak takraw competition can be a battle between Regions Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas.
 
Davao Region and Soccsksargen plan to set the match for arnis championship. Regions Calabarzon and Davao Region will attempt to shoot for the basketball championship. In archery, regions Bicol Region and Soccsksargen will both try to bag the title.
 
Some regions have been able to establish their names on specific sports and are determined to challenge NCR. Ilocos Region expects to win in track and field, Soccsksargen in boxing, Davao Region in tennis and badminton.
           
The 2012 Palarong Pambansa is brewing to be exciting and interesting as other regions prepare to wrest the crown from NCR, set new records and gain honors for their respective regions. (PR)