HOST Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) emerged overall champion while the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao swimmers dominated in the just-concluded first State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (Scuaa) Regional Olympics 2017 in Mati City, Davao Oriental.
In an official data furnished by University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) sports director Jose Alther Rivera, DOSCST struck for a total of 70 gold medals, 15 silvers and 14 bronzes while Usep A collected 38 golds, 32 silvers and 24 bronzes to grab the second spot and lean-but-mean UP Mindanao placed third with a 26-14-2 medal haul.
Trailing behind were Usep B (18-27-27) in fourth, Compostela Valley State College (15-25-23) fifth, Spamast (11-7-3) sixth and Davao del Norte State College (6-13-16 seventh.
The seven-member UP Mindanao swimming team of coach Albert Ramos accounted for most of its total medal tally in the regional meet and will advance to the Natioanal Scuaa Meet slated February 20 to 24 in Batangas.
UP Mindanao tankers Bhazel Acac, Dominique Epie, Kathrine Hintay, Angelica JemVerga, Paula Yap, Joemer Aliman and Juan Mendoza will be joined by with Elthon Buhay, John Cuyos, and Carlo Nazareno to the nationals. Ramos will mentor the team.
UP Mindanao's women's futsal team and women's beach volleyball teams of coaches Krishna Balaga and Jezreel Abarca, respectively, also claimed silvers, according to public relations officer Rene Estremera.
He added UP Mindanao also fielded entries in table tennis. Armando Salazar was head of delegation.
UP Mindanao spikers Junissa Consuegra, Hannah Ricci Baronia, and Kimberly Joy Uy along with table paddler Deborah Naciongayo will also compete in the national meet.
Rivera, for his part, said that the region's delegation will send 195 athletes to Batangas.