INQUIRER Sports

CEBU CITY?Powerhouse National Capital Region and Luzon dominated the opening day of the first National Milo Little Olympics, harvesting 15 gold medals between themselves at the Cebu City Sports Center here.

Student athletes from Metro Manila put away nine gold, four silver and two bronze medals in athletics, taekwondo, swimming and volleyball on Sunday and led the elementary competition with 40 points.

Luzon matched that output in the secondary division to lead the race for the overall title in the games featuring 1,200 student athletes from all over the country.

Rocena Chua?s victory in the 100-meter hurdles for girls capped Luzon?s strong showing in the elementary division as it pressed NCR with 27 points, four clear of third-placed Visayas.

Mindanao trailed behind Luzon in the secondary level with 25 points followed by the Visayas with 23.

Ivan Castañeda, of Gothong National High School, ruled the high school boys? long jump, one of the day?s late events, as Visayas athletes came back to make the competition close.

?It?s a great honor to be competing in the National Milo Little Olympics,? said Chua of Dr. Jose P. Rizal Elementary School in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

?Competing and winning against the best student athletes all over the country is an experience that I?ll treasure forever.?

Castañeda said the 12-sport competition challenges everyone to become the best while fostering camaraderie and friendships.

Gold medals are up for grabs again today in athletics, swimming, taekwondo and volleyball, as well as in badminton, chess, football, gymnastics, tennis, scrabble, sepak takraw and table tennis.