Corpus Christi School reigned supreme over its rivals in both elementary and secondary divisions of the 27th MILO Little Olympics Mindanao Leg, which concluded Sunday at the Pelaez Sports Center, Cagayan De Oro City. Around 5,000 student athletes from 202 schools across the Mindanao region exhibited their athletic prowess in 10 Olympic sports including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Lawn Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo and Volleyball, and 3 non-Olympic sports, specifically Chess, Sepak Takraw and Scrabble.
Corpus Christi School topped the overall rankings, garnering an impressive 159 points in the secondary division, and 89.2 points in the elementary division. The Corpus Christians will once again lead Team Mindanao in the National Finals slated on October.
Not to be overlooked are the runners-up in the secondary division, MOGCHS-Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School who earned a total of 127 points, and Tangub City National High School, who placed third with a total of 85 points. Completing the top 10 overall rankings are Zamboanga Del Sur Sports Academy with 57 points, Xavier University High School with 51 points, Iligan City National High School with 37.4 points, University of Mindanao with 35 points, Surigao del Norte National High School with 34 points, Misamis Occidental National High School with 32 points, and La Salle Academy of Iligan City with 31 points.
In the elementary division, joining Corpus Christi School in the top ten schools are City Central School with 77 points, Iligan City Central School with 69 points, Xavier University – Grade School with 65 points, Iligan City SPED Center with 50.2 points, Cugman Elementary School with 50 points, West City Central School with 49 points, Magugpo Pilot Central School with 47 points, Koronadal Southern Elementary School with 39 points, and Igpit Elementary School with 37.5 points.
MILO Sports executive Robbie de Vera expressed his optimism over the turnout of the Mindanao leg of the competition. “Our student-athletes’ passion for sports that is on display here at the MILO Little Olympics is truly inspiring to see. We are very grateful for the continued support of the local government, the Department of Education, and our sponsors for helping us provide a top quality tournament for our student-athletes, and in encouraging them to showcase their excellence in sports and in life.”
Megdonio Llamera, MILO Little Olympics Regional Organizer exclaimed his delight in the success of this year’s Mindanao leg. “The opening was grander than last year’s. We had representatives from Nestle and from the local government, such as Gov. Vincent Emano. The parade was beautiful, the cheerdance, and even the representatives for Ms. MILO were wonderful. There were about 22,000 spectators who attended the opening cermony. The finals and awarding ceremony were also well-attended,” said Llamera. “For the National Finals, I believe that Team NCR and Team Visayas are strong competitors, but Team Mindanao will surely do their best to challenge for the title.”
In line with MILO’s 50th year anniversary, the leading beverage brand will also select in the National Finals in October the 50 Most Outstanding Athletes in the MILO Little Olympics and provide them with special prizes.
With the first two legs completed, the competition will then take its act to the Marikina Sports Complex for the NCR leg on August 22 to 24, and 30 to 31, and the Baguio City Athletic Bowl for the Luzon leg on September 5 to 7, and 13 to 14, before returning to Marikina for the National Finals on October 24 to 26.
The 27th MILO Little Olympics is made possible by Wilson, Mikasa, Molten, Butterfly, Marathon and 2Go Travel, along with endorsements from the Department of Education, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.