LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, March 17 (PNA) — Pangasinan I soared to an early lead in the Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) Meet when it led over 13 other delegations with 96.5 points as of 1 p.m. Thursday after three days of competition.
Pangasinan 1, comprising the western part of the province, currently leads in the secondary division with 49.5 points while its younger players in the elementary division garnered 47 points, for a total of 96.5 points.
Host Pangasinan II lords over in the elementary division with 56.5 points with its secondary players garnering 30.5 points to gain second place with 87 points.
In this meet, organized by the Department of Education, the province of Pangasainan is fielding at least six athletic delegations.
Laoag City is in third place with 70 points after earning 35.5 points in the elementary division and 32.5 points in the secondary division.
Defending champion Ilocos Norte is in fourth place, earning 35.5 points in the elementary division and another 32.5 points in the secondary division.
Players of Ilocos Norte are eyeing for their 12th consecutive title since winning the championship in 1999.
In fifth place after three days of play is La Union with 63 points, followed by Batac City, 38 points; Dagupan City at 30 points, Alaminos City, 29 points; Ilocos Sur, 24.5 points; Urdaneta City, 24 points; Vigan City, 19 points; San Carlos City, 18 points; San Fernando City, 17 points; and Candon City, four points.
Winners of the meet will represent R1AA in the Palarong Pambansa slated in Dapitan City sometime this year.
R1AA used to be called Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRAA) till Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. complained because the name, according to him, is synonymous to be a sports event only for the Ilocanos.
He said this discriminates the people Pangasinan and Dagupan City whose area and population comprise almost half of the area and population in the entire region.
Department of Education Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Alberto Muyot, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the meet’s opening ceremony, readily approved the request of the Pangasinan Governor that IRAA be renamed to R1AA. (PNA)
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