[November 13, 2008]

60 taekwondo jins, 13 basketball teams confirm participation in MCG (Sports)

DAVAO CITY, Nov 13, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) --
Close to 60 taekwondo jins from six teams have already confirmed to join the First Mindanao Children's Games (MCG) taekwondo events set on November 14 to 16, this city.

MCG project director Joseph Encabo said those who confirmed their entries are Davao del Norte and Davao Citys Ateneo de Davao University, Magallanes Elementary School, Magugpo Pilot School Elementary School, Bethel UCCP Learning Center and Rizal Sped.

Davao del Norte will parade the services of Palarong Pambansa veteran Rey Titus Nagar, Joden Galamiton, Roxy Jan Palermo, Jasper Kent Moreno, Ezer James Garcia, Daniel Carlo Perez in boys category; while Lea Lesly Buates, Terry Luhzeil Valle, Antonette Donaire, Xyla Genea Gutierez, Angela Mantica and Czarish Angel Tamayo will show their wares in the girls' event.

On the other hand, Ateneo will be bannered by Noel Arcenio Portillo, Yovichi-Amichai Pries, Paolo Jose Mari Rosales, Jason Anthony Guimary, Andrei Mikel Enarle, Jan Carlo Polinar and Carlos Patricio Alcantara, Leira Cyla Reyes, Danica Anne Binaoro, Dory Anne Portillo and Natalie Sanches.

Other teams are still finalizing lists of their players.
However, organizers are still looking for a venue of the taekwondo events as of Tuesday, Encabo said.

We are still looking for a bigger venue since we are expecting more teams to participate in the event, he added.

Meanwhile, a total of 13 teams will see action in the same event in basketball competition, which also kicks off on November 14-16 at the University of Mindanao (UM) Matina Gym.

Encabo, who led the coaches' meeting at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Mindanao Satellite Office Tuesday, said the squads are grouped into four brackets.

Encabo said the teams will play on a single round robin format with the top team in each bracket advancing to the cross-over semifinals. The winners will then battle for the championship title.

"We will follow the game of succession being observed in big-time competitions. There will be no specific time for a game. A game follows right after a game ends," Encabo said.

University of Mindanao (UM), Doa Pilar Learning Center (DPLC), Rizal Sped and last minute entry Mati City are entered in bracket A, while bracket B is composed of Cagayan de Oro, Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC).

Bracket C will have the Precious International School of Davao, Magallanes Elementary School and Don Juan dela Cruz Central Elementary School, while bracket D is made up of Ateneo de Davao University, Colegio de San Ignacio and Midsayap.

"Should CDO (Cagayan de Oro City) couldn't make it, bracket B will go on with the knockout game wherein the winner will book a semis seat," Encabo said.

Tournament manager Rico Jhone Biliran said the number 1 team in Bracket A will collide with the top team of bracket D, while brackets B and C will clash against each other in the semifinals.

Biliran said there would be no substitution in the first three quarters, but coaches can field their other players in the final quarter.

Encabo, however, reminded the coaches that the MCG aims to unify and promote peace among tri-peoples of Mindanao through and that they are expected to lead their teams to achieve the purpose.

"Let's always remember why we are holding the Games. Just let the kids play and have fun. This is not for competition. This is for the promotion of friendship and peace among the children athletes of this region," said Encabo, who is also the senior executive assistant of PSC chair William "Butch" Ramirez.

Medals will be awarded to the most valuable player and mythical five in the tournament sanctioned by the Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).

Aside from taekwondo and basketbal MCG will also have swimming, basketball, chess, table tennis, volleyball, football and baseball events.

Participants are enjoined to attend the opening parade on Friday at exactly 7 a.m. LOR/Moses P. Billacura/lvp

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