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Palaro rivals out to steal thunder from NCR


MANILA, Philippines – The 2009 Palarong Pambansa opens hostilities Monday with the National Capital Region gunning for a fourth straight overall championships in both the secondary and elementary divisions. However, the opposition are expected to provide stiff challenge this time. Perennial rival Western Visayas has stated its readiness to unseat the athletes from the Big City who have topped the two divisions for the last three staging of the Palaro. “We are fielding a formidable team this year and as usual, our goal is to end NCR’s domination," said WV coach Nicasio Valenzuela. Western Visayas ruled the secondary girls' athletics and team sports softball and football and Valenzuela said the Region VI bets will anchor their bids on these disciplines anew while seeking to strike gold in other fields. NCR official Dr. Noemi Bellosillo admitted it will be a tough act to repeat the double victories. “The other regions have prepared hard this year and we encountered some problems because past winners who could compete this year did not join the delegation because of different reasons. Still, we’ll do our best and we’ll hope for the best," said Bellosillo. A breeding ground of future sports heroes, the tournament officially opens on Tuesday yet but the race for excellence already begins Monday with six gold medals up in athletics at the Leyte Sports Development Center. Gold medals will be at stake in the secondary boys’ long jump, javelin throw and triple jump; secondary girls’ javelin throw; elementary boys’ triple jump and girls’ shotput. The other medal rich sports event, swimming, will commence on Wednesday with 16 finals on schedule. Preliminary round in ball games will also start while boxing events also holds action starting at 5 pm. There will be no games for Tuesday as the athletes will attend the opening ceremonies to be graced by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. –GMANews.TV
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