SPORTS: PRISAA in Davao City opens Feb. 22, judo & football back

Rico Biliran/MindaNews

Tuesday, 15 January 2008 02:08

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/14 Jan) – This year's edition of the Davao City Private School Athletic Association (DC-PRISAA) Meet will be held starting Feb. 22 with a total of 14 sport events and ushering in the reentry of judo and football. But advance games for basketball and volleyball will begin on Jan. 26, according to DC-PRISAA athletic manager Joaquin Sarabia. "We have decided to have advance games for basketball and volleyball because a lot of teams are competing in the two events," said Sarabia of the University of Mindanao. These games, he added, will be held every Saturday and Sunday until Feb. 9 and 10, a weekend before the opening ceremonies. Twelve of the 13 participating member schools are entered in the men's basketball led by defending champs University of Mindanao Wildcats. Half of this number will vie for title in the women's basketball. In volleyball, 11 teams will see action in the men's class and eight in the distaff side led by reigning titlist Holy Cross of Davao College volleybelles. Sarabia said football is back in the calendar of PRISAA activities after five years. "Football is now part of the regular event of the National PRISAA, that's why we will be having an elimination this year," said Sarabia. A total of four teams will vie for top honors in the revival of football in the DC-PRISAA with multi-titled University of Mindanao touted as heavy favorites. Expected to provide stiff competition for UM are Ateneo de Davao University, Agro Industrial Foundation College and Brokenshire College. DC-PRISAA officials are now screening the requirements of the team entries, most especially on the eligibility of the players. "There are few problems but we are optimistic that all of those will be OK before the competition starts, " he said. Winners in the city meet will represent Davao City in the Davao Region PRISAA Meet slated in second week of March. The National PRISAA Championships will be on April 7-13 in Zamboanga City. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)