NO TRACE of tiredness but only excitement could be seen in the eyes of players of the Lumads-laden Barangay Bantol despite having to wake up at 3 a.m. daily to catch their matches in the ongoing Summer Children's Games 2017 at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center, Davao City.
The eight-member team takes at least six hours of travel for about 100 kilometers round-trip every day from Marilog District to the playing venue since the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-backed Games opened Thursday.
But to the surprise of technical officials and downtown-based barangay teams, Barangay Bantol spikers proved they are no pushovers. They remained unbeaten after two games, defeating Barangay Mahayag, 25-18, 25-18 and Barangay 2-A, 25-5, 25-15.
Dianne Astilla, 12, a Bagobo, said, "Lipay kaayo mi kay karon rami kadula og gym. Bahala na mumata mi og sayo, enjoy kaayo mi nga nakadula mi aning ligaha (We are so happy to be able to play in this kind of gym for the first time. We don't mind waking up very early in the morning, we just enjoyed playing in this league)."
She and her teammates Mari Verna Unting, Jeramie AgsiliLacia, Angelica Altubar, Rhea Mie Villarte, Quinne May Luayon, Gretchene Superalis and Ruby Mae Unting have been playing together in school and in their barangay.
Onting, a Matigaslog, said: "Lahi ra jud diri oi kay sa amoa yuta man among ginadulaan (This is really a great experience for us because we just used to play on ground)."
The Bantol spikers hesitated to compete at first since they haven't been to the Poblacion District for a long time and were not used to playing against teams in downtown area.
"Wala man jud mi gaanhi sa poblacion, kay layo biya kayo amoang mga balay. Pasalamat mi nga nakadula mi diri, nakaapil mi diri sa Children's Games (We rarely come here since we live far away. We are thankful that we joined the Children's Games)," Villarte, a B'laan, said in an interview with VoxPop Davao.
Maria Verna also thanked the organizers for providing them delicious food for the entire duration of the Games. The PSC provides two snacks and one lunch pack every day for all participants of the event, which is part of PSC's Sports for Peace program, a brainchild of PSC Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.
In other games, Mulig, Cabantian and 76-A Bucana grabbed two wins each.
Mulig beat Barangay Indangan, 25-9, 25-12, before spanking Barangay Tamugan of Baguio District, 27-25, 19-25, 25-19.
Barangay Cabantian, for its part, outclassed Barangay Catalunan Grande, 25-18, 25-12 then survived past Barangay Sto. Niño, 25-18, 25-21.
Barangay 76-A walloped Barangay 27-C, 25-8, 25-10, before spanking Barangay Duterte Agdao, 25-6, 25-3.
