LEGAZPI CITY, Albay Province –  With the formal opening of this year’s edition of the Palarong Pambansa in the Albay Sports and Tourism Complex here today, Team Cordillera is gunning to duplicate and even surpass their fourth overall finish last year.

                Setting their eyes on once again bringing home a pot of gold, the team arrived here on Tuesday to continue their training and acclimatize themselves with the weather and environment in this part of Bicol region.

                Bannered by the theme, “Transforming Communities, Transcending through K to 12,” the week-long sports event will highlight the best of the best of the 18 regions in the country including the newest region of Negros Islands.

                “The team is inspired with all the support they are getting from their local government units as well as universities and private individuals and we hope to give back to our supporters through our wins,” said Regional Sports Coordinator Agustin Gumuwang.

                Gumuwang also cited the dedication of the coaches and trainers in preparing the athletes not only in the individual events but also in the team events.

                All eyes are on medal rich sports like swimming, taekwondo, arnis, athletics, gymnastics and archery.

                Meanwhile, billiards, futsal, wrestling, and wushu remain as demonstration sports this year despite appeal from some regions including Cordillera to include these under regular sports.

                It may be recalled that Cordilleran athletes continue to excel in wrestling and wushu and other combative sports.

                An allowance of Php 2,000 were given to athletes, coaches, and other official members of the delegation to augment their expenditures on toiletries, laundry and other incidental expenses.

                Cash incentives are also up for grabs. Gold medalists will receive P 1,000, silver medalists with P 750.00 and bronze medalists with P 500.00. – Georaloy I. Palao-ay