ATHLETICS PAGEANT. This year’s reigning titlists in the 30th Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (Masts) pageant held at the Mambajao Cultural Center in Camiguin Friday night (Nov. 30) are Mr. Masts 2019 Ivanne Jairon Melendez of Central Mindanao University (2nd from left) and Ms. Masts 2019 Cathleen Angelie Abler of University of Southern Mindanao (3rd from left). With them are Mr. Masts 2018 Joshua Nunez of Bukidnon State University (left) and Ms. Masts 2018 Mariel Basingan of Jose Rizal Memorial State University. The pageant was the concluding event of the Masts 2019 Friendship Games. (PNA Photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)
MAMBAJAO, Camiguin – The athletic competitions organized by state universities and colleges in Mindanao have become the training ground for a number of athletes who have competed in local and international sports events, a school official said on Saturday.
Dr. Nelson Cabral, management committee chairman of the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (Masts), said their organization has been training and preparing student-athletes to compete not just in local but also abroad.
Cabral is also the president of the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, one of the government-run tertiary education institutions that participated in the 30th Masts Friendship Games in the province from Nov. 24 to 29.
“We have been producing athletes that have competed in international games,” said Cabral.
“Many of them have been chosen and have become part of the Philippine Team and have played in various international tournaments,” he said.
Cabral said he considered the Masts Friendship Games as a training ground for future Mindanaoan athletes who can compete in international tourneys.
In this year’s friendship games, Surigao del Sur State University (SDSU) was proclaimed as the over-all champion garnering 75 gold, 30 silver, and 53 bronze medals, and winning in 22 of 24 events.
Other winners are: 1st runner-up, Western Mindanao State University, 47 gold, 27 silver, and 29 bronze; 2nd runner-up, Bukidnon State University, 46 gold, 57 silver, and 47 bronze; 3rd runner-up, Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, 34 gold, 11, silver, and six bronze; and 4th Central Mindanao University, 33 gold, 14 silver, 29 bronze.
Jillard Mercado, sports coordinator of SDSSU Cantilan campus, said their rigid training coupled with dedication has paid off.
“We really did our best. That contributed to our victory,” Mercado told reporters on the sideline of the Masts 2019 awarding ceremonies held at Mambajao Cultural Center Saturday night (Nov. 29).
During the closing ceremonies, a pageant was also held, with Ivanne Jairon Melendez of Central Mindanao University and Cathleen Angelie Abler of the University of Southern Mindanao adjudged as Mr. Masts 2019 and Ms. Masts 2019, respectively.
Meanwhile, Camiguin Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo encouraged the athletes not just to excel in sports but to focus on their academics, as well.
“You should finish your studies. Don’t waste your time. If you graduate, it will raise your stature in life. Remember, your age is not going down. Every year your age is going up,” Romualdo said.
The governor said this was the second time that Camiguin has hosted a huge sporting event such as the Masts Friendship Games.
Romualdo said they will be making the necessary preparations should Camiguin win the bid to host the nationwide State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) games in 2022.
He said the challenge was on how to accommodate the thousands of delegates from SCUAA member-schools, but added he is confident the province will be able to take in more visitors once the 200-room hotel and resort will be completed months from now. (PNA)
