BAGUIO CITY -- Cagayan de Oro City has set a target of 8 gold medals in the week-long 2017-2018 Batang Pinoy National Championships here.
Team CDO has sent 45 athletes in the games with its taekwondo team having the biggest bulk of entries at 18, boxing at 10, athletics and table tennis with six and five each.
In the centerpiece event, JP Magnitico qualified in the first heat of the 110 meter 15-year-old hurdle boys and will try his best in the second heat to qualify for the finals.
This was not Magnitico's main preparation as he's primed for the high jump and long jump events scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday, in that order.
He won the gold in the long jump event of the Batang Pinoy Mindanao Games last March in Oroquieta City.
Jason Gumamo was also seen in action at his first heat in the 400-meter run 15-year-old boys.
Three of Team CDO's swimmers have to do better on Tuesday as they falter in the first day of action.
"Gilahi man gud ang sistema kay walay qualifying ug diretso na best time. Kung naa lang, we could have someone fight in the final and a room to adjust too," said Team CDO swimming coach Jay Papa.
CDO sports coordinator Jaymar Rivera predicts an 8-gold finish for the city's hunt for medals.
"Eight is the passing grade, but more than that is a bonus," said Rivera.