PRIVATE Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa)-Davao eyes to keep its third overall ranking when it hosts the National Prisaa Games 2019 in Davao City on May 19 to 25.
Prisaa 11 executive director Joaquin "Boy" Sarabia, during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao yesterday, said, it would be a tall order to target the first two spots.
"Pwedeng makuha ulit ang third overall kasi nag No.3 na tayo sa Bohol. Mahirap ang one at two," Sarabia said.
However, he said, "Siguro one rank higher" but not more than that as powerhouse teams Western Visayas and Central Visayas are forces to reckon with.
It can be recalled that Western Visayas was overall champion in the 2018 edition of the National Prisaa Games in Tagbilaran City, harvesting a total of 219 gold medals, 110 silvers and 107 bronzes while Central Visayas placed second with 194 golds, 92 silvers and 73 bronzes.
Davao Prisaa (83 golds, 76 silvers, 106 bronzes) was at distant third.
In past interviews, Sarabia said that Davao needed to focus more on medal-rich sports like athletics, swimming, karatedo and taekwondo, among others, just like Western Visayas and Central Visayas who usually dominate in these events.
"Sa (training) preparations, wala tayong problema. We have the best venues sa Davao City. Mas kumpleto tayo sa officiating officials. Standard din halos facilities natin, for basketball we will be using a wooden court," he said, adding that swimming and beach volleyball will be held in Tagum City instead.
A total of 22 events are entered in all Prisaa city, regional and national meets that feature secondary and collegiate divisions.