By Kristine Harion Lacanaria & Eñego Tejas
BAYBAY CITY – Samar State University (SSU) brought home five bronze and one silver from different sports competitions, and three non-sports awards during the 33rd Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) held at Visayas State Univeristy (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte last December 9-14.
With Prof. Antonieto Betanzor as coach, female shot put athlete Sri Zsinietslane Solis won as 1st runner-up (silver), while female long jump athlete Nariza Nono as 2nd runner-up (bronze).
Jill Rachel Alegro, Rafaela Cachero, Paola Cecilio, Mahalina Cerdeña, Sheina Ebin, Alma Gabane, Joylen Gabuya, Sarah Macabenta, Jeneveve Rebato, and Valentina Zartiga landed 2nd runner-up in women’s basketball. The team had Prof. Raul Celmar as head coach and Prof. Antonio Armateo as coach.
Coached by Prof. Rowel Dacanay, Mark Jay Dayot and Raymond Mabansag secured the bronze medal in the men’s division of beach volleyball.
The SSU lawn tennis team also managed to get bronze. Arvin Abalos, Mark Ivan Corre, Arnold Mabini, Warren Prudenciado, Head Coach Alex Cardoso, and Assistant Coach Mr. Alfred Curiano composed the team.
Ronalyn Adona, Mariel Bacaycay, Ana Rose Cabañeza, Desiree Gaviola, Sheena Mae Labine, Jissel Joy Llauder, Ma. Cecilia Mabansag, Rose Ann Mabulac, Charlotte Oblino, Janine Quirino, Ma. Jessica Ranoco, and Bianca Aubrey Mae Samooc finished as 2nd runner-up in the women’s volleyball competition, with Prof. Francis Abalos as head coach and Mr. Ruel Morcilla as assistant coach.
Aside from the sporting events, SSU’s Mr. SCUAA representative, Richard Prayco, was hailed as Mr. Congeniality while also winning Best in Tropical Island Inspired Barong Tagalog at the Mr. & Miss SCUAA8 Pageant Night held on the evening of December 11, 2017.
On the following evening, December 12, SSU CASPEd (Culture, Arts, Sports and Physical Education) instructor Rowel Dacanay sang his way to 2nd place of the SCUAA Got Talent (Coach Category) with Always, winning himself a trophy and a cash prize of PhP 1000.
With the theme “Dreaming together for change,” SCUAA8 2017 was participated by 10 SUCs, namely ESSU, EVSU, LNU, NSU, NwSSU, PIT, SLSU, SSU, UEP, and VSU. Next year’s SCUAA will be held at ESSU, Eastern Samar in December 2018.