ATHLETICS. Female runners from various state universities and colleges compete in the 400-meter dash held at the Pedro N. Romualdo Memorial Sports Complex during the first day of the 30th Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools Friendship Games held in Mambajao, Camiguin last Sunday. Photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem.
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By Jigger J. Jerusalem
Correspondent

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin — The athletic competitions organized by a group of state universities and colleges in Mindanao has become the training ground for a number of athletes who have competed in local and international sports competitions, a public school official said.

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MR. AND MS. MASTS. 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 are Mr. Masts 2019 Ivanne Jairon Melendez of Central Mindanao University (2nd from left) and Miss 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. (photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)

According to Dr. Nelson Cabral, management committee chairman of the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (Masts), their organization has been training and preparing student-athletes to compete not just in local but in out-of-the-country sporting events.

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 held in this province late last month.

“We have been producing athletes that have competed in international games,” said Cabral, although it was not immediately known how many athletes coming from Masts member-schools have played in international sporting events, including the biennial Southeast Asian Games which kicked off in Luzon last Saturday.

“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 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 medals, 30 silver medals, and 53 bronze medals, and winning in 22 of 24 events.

ATHLETICS. Female runners from various state universities and colleges compete in the 400-meter dash held at the Pedro N. Romualdo Memorial Sports Complex during the first day of the 30th Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools Friendship Games held in Mambajao, Camiguin. GSD File Photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem.

Other winners were: 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, the 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 said.

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 has 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.

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