Friday, April 13, 2007 Alcantara, Lariba banner Northern Mindanao cast By Lynde Salgados
WITH marquee names such as Francis Casey Alcantara and Ian Nietes Lariba, the 363-strong Northern Mindanao delegation is confident to win golds in lawn tennis and table tennis among a few of at 12 sports disciplines to be contested in the 2007 Palarong Pambansa.
Tried and tested in numerous lawn tennis competitions that he participated in and outside the country, the 15-year-old Alcantara of Xavier University easily hurdled his event's secondary championship during the regional meet in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
"Dominant kaayo si Casey. Iyang mga kontra sa Tubod meet malipay na lang nga makadula sa iya," then marveled Cosaa frontman Gerardo "Boboy" Sabal of the Palarong Pampook's most popular athlete.
The equally talented Lariba, herself a standout in Asian Age-Group table tennis tourneys, also duplicated Alcantara's feat in elementary rivalry.
"Sa training ni Ian mopilde na siya og mga Class A nga lalake sa elite Open. Pero di nato masiguro when it comes to the national level kay basin naay mga kusog nga manggawas," said Lariba's mentor Dario Hernane, fresh from a colorful stint with the UN.
Hope is also high in the centerpiece events with Vince Rabi Vera, easily among the tallest swimming cast in elementary level, leading the charge.
"We can only hope for the best kay paspas ang time ni Vince sa 50m freestyle. Pang national iyang record," said coach Mark Gamalan.
Vera's compatriot from Corpus Christi, Sarah Sayusay did not fare well in Tubod but she might peak at the right time in the national meet, which will be slated on April 22 to 30 in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
"Graduating sa high school si Sarah adtong tungora. Now nga langoy na lang iyang atimanon..it's not a far-fetched possibility nga maka-gold na sab siya sa Palaro karong tuiga," was the prayer of her mother-trainer, Alice.
NMRAA team has also a strong tandem in secondary boys chess with the fast-rising Lennon Hart Salgados, 13 of Corpus Christi and Antonio Chavez Jr., 16 of City High Nationalized High School, combining forces for the first team in the Palaro.
Along with their coaches, chaperons and delegation officials, the NMRAA athletes will leave on April 19 for Cotabato from the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod where they're currently undergoing a live-in training program.
