TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Cebu City’s girls secondary volleyball team claimed the last gold for the Niños, capping off a successful stint in the 2008 Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association (CVIRAA) meet.

Cebu City beat Lapu-Lapu City, 25-18, 25-20, 15-25, 25-22, in the final to win its eighth straight title under coach Jordan Paca.

“Paninguhaon namu nga modaug nasad mi sa Palaro,” Paca said.

Cebu City was led by 2008 Sportswriters Association of Cebu awardee Danica Gendrauli, Apple Eve Saraum, Cydthealee Demecillo, Kaisse delos Santos, Cherry Mae Cereno, Rexamae Milagros Fe Garbriel, Jessa Mae Nacorda and Judy Diane Navaja.

The runner-up team of coach Reverend Father Rolando Manayon, on the other hand, was composed of Pajo National High School students namely Mitoshina Bati, Suzette Panes, Athena Sucalit, Katherine Marquez, Juna Gesulga, Michelle Oling and Janica Ausak.

Cebu City, thus, improved to 811 points, surpassing its overall tally in Dumaguete City last year.

Cebu Province stayed at second place with 476 points, Bohol Province at third with 377.5 while Mandaue City (194.5) and Dumaguete City (193) followed at fourth and fifth, respectively.

Cebu City division head Nenita Pardenilla said she was very happy with the success of the team, especially since they were able to improve their score from last year’s event.

Pardenilla also said she credits the win to the support of the Cebu City Government, which spent more than P2 million for the annual sportsfest.

The event’s closing ceremony was attended by athletes, coaches and DepEd officials led by Region 7 Director Dr. Carolino Mordeno and PESS head Vivian Giñete.

Education Undersecretary Ramon Bacani graced the closing rites and thanked all the athletes for their performances. /Correspondent Ronald Natulla