The chairman of the sports task force of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association hopes their success in the Provincial Palaro will continue in the Western Visayas PRISAA next month.

Roger Banzuela, the NOPSSCEA STF chairman, said expressed optimism that the athletes, especially in men's athletics and swimming teams, which suffered a beating at the hands of Iloilo last year, will improve on their performances and help strengthen their bid of dethroning Iloilo for overall honors in the Feb. 4-10 event.

“Some of our teams haven't competed since October and that may turn out to be a factor just like last year,” he said.

NOPSSCEA shifted from a weekends-only event into a week-long tournament last year and so far, the results in other meets have turned out to be positive.

In one of their best finishes in years, athletes from Negros Occidental's private schools topped the secondary division of the Palarong Panlalawigan and also came second in the elementary category.

“The week-long schedule worked for us because some teams, which had players from different school, had enough time to practice together,” Banzuela said.

Football will kick off hostilities on Feb. 4 at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

Banzuela said the tournament will start a day earlier because a third team -- Antique -- has entered the event. Negros Occidental and Iloilo have been playing best-of-three series to determine the champion for the past four editions of the event.

Also set at the ISC are athletics and swimming.

The WV PRISAA formally opens on Feb. 7 at the ABL Sports Complex in Kalibo. Banzuela said organizers have invited Senate President Manny Villar and Philippine sports commissioner Eric Loretizo for the opening ceremonies.*CPT

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