NATIONAL Capital Region (NCR) gained the early lead for overall title after the first day of the 2014 Milo Little Olympics National Finals on Saturday in Marikina City.
With a rare grand slam and permanent possession of the perpetual trophy in sight, NCR snatched the top spot in both elementary and secondary divisions of sepak takraw and inched within a game of the hotly football title. NCR’s elementary squad defeated Mindanao, while its high-school team bested Luzon in the single round-robin matches held at the Concepcion Elementary School.
Gaining the distinction as the most outstanding athletes for the competition were John Arsyl Tupaz (best tekong/server) and Jerryl Lazaro Jr. (best spiker) of NCR, and Michael Bob Lapuz (best tosser) of the Visayas in the elementary division.
In the secondary tilt, Chito Duavis (best tekong/server) and (best tosser) John Paul Talarde of the NCR, and Marvin Ompad (best spiker) of the Visayas claimed the individual honors. Over at Marist School, NCR’s secondary football squad won its matches over Luzon and Mindanao in convincing fashion to make their 9:30 a.m. title duel against the Visayas. The squad gained the full six points after Day One, decimating Luzon via an 8-nil score, then whipping Mindanao 3-nil behind a hat trick by Masiano Suba Jr.
The Visayas, on the other hand, defeated Mindanao, 3-1, and blitzed Luzon by an 8-nil demolition. In basketball, the Visayas and Mindanao put the hurt on Luzon and NCR with separate runoff wins in the elementary division contests. The Visayas scored a 115-23 rout of Luzon, then pulled off an 80-27 win against NCR. Similarly, Mindanao opened its campaign with a 90-33 result over NCR, followed by a 96-29 demolition of Luzon.
Both teams, holding 2-0 (won-lost) records, will lock horns for the title at 7:30 a.m.
In secondary division hoops, the Visayas and Luzon opened their campaign with tough wins to gain the early lead.
The Visayas toppled Mindanao, 81-72, while Luzon escaped with a 66-62 squeaker. Playing at presstime was Luzon versus Mindanao, while the battle between NCR and the Visayas rounded out the day.