“IT’S only one point but it matters most.”
With this humble short line, City Central School principal Alma Sheila Alorro received the championship trophy in elementary level on Saturday’s (September 29) culmination of the 22nd Mindanao Milo Little Olympics at the Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.
Winning the title first in 2015, City Central School returned as champion after edging Corpus Christi Grade School by just the skinniest margin, 112-111 in what the jaded coaches agreed in unison as the first time to ever happen in over two decades of the multifarious meet.
The historic one-point victory, as the sports-loving Alorro would love to mean it, is very important to inspire young athletes in their quest to excel under the sports program of a public school institution.
“Normally, sa private school solid gayud ang support. But we also tried our very best to strengthen the sports program of City Central School,” Alorro, who also dabbles as officiating staff in Department of Education chess tourney, later shared their school’s success story in Milo sports.
Known for its steady grip in scrabble competition, City Central School dislodged reigning titlist Corpus Christi largely after its first title finish in elementary chess boys rivalry.
For the secondary crown, Corpus Christi won again for the umpteenth time in lopsided fashion, garnering a total of 194 points to 133 points by closest pursuer Zamboanga del Sur Sports Academy.
In her acceptance speech, teacher Pearl Obenza—speaking in behalf of Corpus Christi president Dr. Alfonso del Fierro—said that though their secondary bets “enabled us to win 12 times over they all remain humble.”
In the company of fellow school sports coordinator Eric Miguel, Obenza further said: “Corpus Christi believes that a student should be multi-faceted—that he/she does not only excel in academics, but also in the events that he/she participates in.”
She also acknowledged Milo Olympics Mindanao organizer Megdonio Llamera, who passed away right after the opening of the prestigious meet at Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center, as a champion for all student athletes.
At the closing ceremonies were Milo Sports manager Eulogio Suaner Jr., Asst. Milo organizer Dr. Raymund Antolo and Nestle Phil. consumer marketing manager Robbie de Vera.
Altogether, they presided over the giving of awards to Most Outstanding Athletes in the different sports disciplines in elementary and secondary levels.
Suaner closed out the event by urging the coaches, team managers and champion athletes to follow after him in belting “hep hep hurray” as the trademark line of the late Llamera.
2018 Mindanao Milo Little Olympics
Top-10 schools
Elementary Division:
1. Cagayan de Oro City Central School 112 pts
2. Corpus Christi School 111 pts
3. Tangub City Central School 64 pts
4. Zamboanga del Sur Sports Academy 60.5 pts
5. Koronadal Southern Elem. School 49 pts
6. West City Central School-CDOC 47 pts
7. Igpit Elementary School 38 pts
8. Infant School of Jesus Bukidnon 33 pts
9. Bulua Central School 32 pts
10. St. Mary’s School-Mandumol 30.6 pts
Secondary Division:
1. Corpus Christi School 194 pts
2. Zamboanga del Sur Sports Academy 133 pts
3. MOGCHS 92 pts
4. Bukidnon National HS 80 pts
5. Tangub City NHS 57 pts
6. Agusan National High School 46 pts
7. Xavier University HS 38 pts
8. Iligan City National High School 37 pts
9. Lanao del Norte Nat’l Comp. HS 30 pts
10. University of Mindanao 30 pts