SENATOR Francis “Tol” Tolentino bared his desire to institutionalize the Philippine Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games which opened Sunday at the Iloilo City Sports Complex.
“The Philippine ROTC Games manifests love of country through sports,” said Tolentino, the honorary chairman of the games. “The games symbolize patriotism, volunteerism and service to our country.”
He added: “These are the very reasons why our desire is to institutionalize these games.”
The ROTC Games are a collaboration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of National Defense and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chaired by Richard Bachmann.
“We hope to include the ROTC Games as one of our sports programs at CHED as we review our programs,” CHED Executive Director-Central Office Cinderella Jaro said.
Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCTSI) of Cebu, meanwhile, beat Capiz State University, 25-9, 25-10, 25-10, in women’s volleyball at the University of San Agustin gymnasium in IloIlo City on Monday.
Team captain Rona Mae Caturas, who led the Talisay-based SCTSI with 14 points, said she and her teammates were inspired to strive harder in the games.
“We promise to do better in our next matches as we get to polish our game,” Caturas said.
SCTSI coach Ray Vincent Sanoria said her players felt the pressure of playing on a big stage.
“We have no idea how they [Capiz State University] play so we just played our best game,” Sanoria said. “The girls were jittery because it’s their first time to play in a big venue.”
Competitions in athletics, boxing,and kickboxing, meanwhile, will commenced at the Robinsons City Activity Center and SM IloIlo.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes