Buoyed by a sweep in swimming, Area VIII, represented by NOPSSCEA athletes, seized early command as the 2007 Palarong Panlalawigan heads to its fourth day today in Bacolod City .

NOPSSCEA's high school athletes scored maximum points in swimming (see related story), one of two events with 30 points at stake for team champions, and cornered the boys and girls' badminton title at the Riverside College courts yesterday.

Counting the second-place finish in archery, which was equivalent to 20 points, NOPSSCEA now has 112 points to pace the secondary division with defending champion Area IV --- which took the boxing title yesterday ---- in third with 65.

Perennial contenders Area VII, bannered by athletes from Bacolod 's public schools, lies in second place with 73.5 points, after a sweep of the archery events.

The classification was similar in the elementary division, where NOPSSCEA, thanks to 60 points in swimming, posted 78 points, ahead of 2006 champion Bacolod with 59 and Area IV with 52.

But a major shakeup in the overall standings is expected today when other events where NOPSSCEA is not expected to fare well, like athletics, end.

Area VII grabbed the elementary girls' badminton title yesterday for 15 points, while the boys' crown went to Area II, represented by Cadiz City shuttlers.

Standing at the forefront of NOPSSCEA's campaign in the high school division were swimming multiple-gold winners Kiefer Piccio, Krestia Lacson, Miguel Petero, Karlo Del Carmen, Hillary Tan, Cleistah Sol Sabusap and Andrea Caguingin.

Over at the Riverside Badminton court, Nikki Therese Servando of Trinity Christian School smashed her way to the girls' singles gold by beating teammate Maegan Sabino, 21-19, 21-9.

Servando won another gold when she teamed up with Christian Crisostomo to win the mixed doubles title over Mary Joy Fernandez and Ernesto Layao of Area II, 23-21, 21-5.

Fernandez and Maritchelle Legada came away with the girls' doubles title after rallying past Rhea Mahinay and Hannah Bea Isidro of Area III, 16-21, 21-11, 23-21.

Ruling the boys' singles event was Layao, who toppled Crisostomo, 21-18, 14-21, 21-18.

Aljohns Aloyan and Rogel Managasi of Area II dethroned Don Angelo Colmenares and Kevin Jison, 22-20, 21-12, in the boys' doubles tilt.

Bacolod dominated archery with Marla Mae Aguirre posting 297 points to top the girls' 30m event and Jesus Daguno scoring 276 for the boys' title.

Powered by Bago's finest pugs, Area IV ruled boxing with Martin Cordova (36kg) and Randy Anecito (42 kg) winning their respective events.

Gerson Nietes Jr, nephew of world boxing champion, Donnie Nietes, delivered Bacolod 's lone gold when he captured the 45 kg title, while Negros Occidental High School 's Remus Orcada topped the 48 kg and Area II's Christian Mahilum won the 39 kg.

In baseball, Bacolod set up a championship showdown with undefeated Area V, after blanking Area I, 13-0, yesterday. Area V advanced with an 8-1 triumph over Area I.

Swimmers Joshua Balinas, Dana Mae Testa and Mary Angela Pandan starred for NOPSSCEA's campaign in the elementary division.

Area I took the elementary girls' lawn tennis title as Juvilyn Barquin and Jessa Mel Singson recorded a 1-2 finish in the singles competition.

The boys' crown went to Area IV, led by singles' champion June Paulo Baran and runner-up Andre Jean Marcito.

Area VII and Area IV split the table tennis titles. Led by Beverly Paulma, the Bacolod paddlers took the girls' team title, while the Area IV team, powered by John Paul Gubaton, pocketed the boys' crown.

Area VI's first team title came in arnis, where Area IV and Area III placed second and third, respectively.*CPT

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