Three squads representing the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association plunge into action today in the Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association Sports Meet in Iloilo City .

Opening NOPSSCEA's campaign is the men's football squad that will take on lightweight Antique at 7 a.m. at the Iloilo Sports Complex pitch. The athletics team will be in action at the ISC tracks shortly after the football match, while swimming takes centerstage at the nearby Olympic pool.

“Our teams are ready. I expect them to fare better than last year,” NOPSSCEA Sports Task Force chairman Roger Banzuela said in a telephone interview last night. “They are well-prepared”.

NOPSSCEA got battered by Iloilo in men's athletics and swimming last year but are hoping to recover lost glory with the addition of some Palaro standouts in its fold. Among them are tankers Nikki Balinas and Miguel Villanueva.

The women's athletics squad, which is eyeing a repeat of its swashbuckling victory last year, also suffered a blow when graduating sprinter Rosario Baranao, a consistent gold medalist, was declared ineligible for lack of academic units.

Football coach Norman Fegidero, meanwhile, remained upbeat of his team's chances after watching Iloilo whitewashed Antique, 6-0, in the opening-game yesterday.

“They weren't very impressive,” Fegidero said of the Iloilo side. “I think they were reserving some of their energy for us”. The Negrenses meet Iloilo in a potential title showdown on Wednesday morning.

Fegidero said his team is ready for the tournament. “The team is gelling very well,” he added. West Negros College standouts are reinforced by University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos players in the NOPSSCEA side.

Meanwhile, the rest of the NOPSSCEA teams leave for Kalibo, Aklan today to participate in the other WV PRISAA events, including basketball, volleyball and badminton.

The Games formally open on Feb. 7. *CPT

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