11/05/2024
We would like to thank too the generosity of Aleosan Vice Mayor Cayang and Aleosan SK Federation President Trance.
May God bless you always...
๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ก ๐๐ง๐ฆ ๐ข๐ช๐ก ๐๐๐๐ง, ๐๐๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฐ ๐จ๐ก๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ
Unit V Maroon Ravens started their debut appearance at the 2024 University of Southern Mindanao Unilympics as the underdogs, even being described as โstrugglingโ, but ended the three-day event leaving a warning to the other units that they are a force to be reckoned with.
The newcomers chalked up 397 points, most of which came from rabbit-out-of-the-hat plays, ending in major upsets to different units who previously reigned on the top spots but were nudged by the flicker of the Maroon Ravens.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
When the news broke out that the Unilympics 2024 will be held in a month, then Campus Director Jacinta Pueyo, together with Unit Manager and Sports Coordinator Mr. Arnel Bibat, scrambled to pull resources together, accomplish purchase requests, and manage the studentry in preparation for the upcoming competitions.
PALMA Cluster Campuses, being a new USM campus, lacked the proper facilities, equipment, and experience to pull off something as complicated as the logistics and supplies management needed to bring a delegation of no less than 230 people to the Kabacan Campus.
On the other hand, the training program of the different events, those that they were able to fill with willing students (majority of the athletes were only trained ad hoc, so skills were less than their willingness) navigated through treacherous waters. The equipment initially ordered suffered unforeseen delays in procurement resulting in less than favorable situations for both athletes and the coaches.
Not only were there problems with the lack of equipment, but there were no facilities to be used. The different sports teams, jam packed under the roof of the Libungan Municipal Gymnasium, in blistering heat, took advantage of the shortened school hours to train once classes were done. Some are more frequent than others, daily, or even several times a day.
The Maroon Ravens may not have the capability to fly over the storms it faced, but it knew how to find shelter.
Alas, the equipment orders arrived, at least some of it, enough to set team PALMA in motion. The facility issues were resolved, coaches and players alike finding places to train, brokering deals with the owners just to put in those extra hours of training.
The athletes and coaches are now ready. But how do you feed an army of 230 strong? Unit V managed to put together a team of starvation-defying โcoachenerosโ and โcoachenerasโ tasked to watch over the nutrition and morale of the troops. The kitchen crew was led by Maโam May Bagayna, Martin, Silapan, and Karen Flauta Testado who kept the flames burning and cauldrons hot day and night. They were also accompanied by their hand-picked trustees Jericho Palencia, Dian Torres, and Ryan Remegio Dinalo.
The players, the coaches, and the support staff are ready. Now, how do you bring them all to Kabacan without having an official vehicle assigned to PALMA? Mayor Apol Cuan, and Vice Mayor Jimboy Fullecido of Libungan LGU as well as Eduardo Cabaya, SB Member Jason Neil Clyde Cabaya and San Mateo BLGU of the Aleosan LGU generously assigned vehicles and fuel allowances to ferry team PALMA to Kabacan. Two dump trucks, and four other small vehicles brought the Maroon Ravens to the playing fields.
Prof. Ard A Balad Ardniel Baladjay, the newly installed PALMA Campuses Director secured the College of Agriculture Annex as the housing of the team. He also pledged the use of his personal vehicle to cover the mobility needs of the team during the 3-day event.
โI am deeply honored to be part of USM-PALMA history in joining the UNILYMPICS for the first time as [an] independent unit. The performance is superb in spite of being the newbie in the competition. I believe that there is always a first timer. Even then, our athletes showcased their best abilities, skills and talents. It was manifested by some events that we got GOLD like beach volleyball, sepak takraw and the proud favorite- OUR SALUDO version. Indeed, in TEAM, Together Everybody Achieves More. To God be the glory.โ Baladjay said in a chat correspondence.
๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐
The PALMA athletes together with their coaches, facilitators, and support staff led by the Autonomous Student Government PALMA Cluster President Hermie Liza Moskito rode at the back of two dump trucks from Libungan to Kabacan. Other smaller vehicles also assisted in ferrying the delegation to the Kabacan campus. They left Libungan with the sun still tucked away to be able to get there on time for the first two events, the parade and Saludo performance.
With hardly any sleep, nor food clinking in their stomachs, the Maroon Ravens went all out in shouting, cheering, and dancing during the parade around campus. The loud banging of the drums, their loud yells of cheers, were no match against the loud thumping of their hearts, beating fully to the tune of the Unit V spirit. Puso.
As the parade ended in the University Auditorium, where the Saludo competition will be held, they braced themselves as they entered the doors while taking one final breath of fresh air, for they knew it was their time for glory.
The first day for the Maroon Ravens was grim, suffering devastating losses in events like Taekwondo, Badminton, Chess, Table Tennis and Menโs Volleyball. On a more positive note, the first day also ended with wins in several other sports like Womenโs Volleyball, Athletics, and Baseball.
The first day was also plagued by logistical problems like the lack of beddings, insect repellants, and the amount of food available. Players and coaches also had difficulty in adjusting to sleeping in a new environment, one which is noisier and less comfortable than what they are used to. Nevertheless, these were all managed in the end.
The second and third day were far from what the first day had to offer. Everyone was surprised to hear that some teams were already fighting for medal matches, while some already won medals. Everyone was well adjusted already; everybody already knew everybody.
The Maroon Ravens value team spirit while playing, but it is more significant for them when they are already flying in flocks. The bond they formed before, during and after their games is more than any other medal they could have won.
Unit V Manager and Sports Coordinator Arnel Bibat said in a chat correspondence โSalamat po sa lahat ng support, ng lahat ng faculty, food committee headed by Maam Jonna May Bagayna, sa very supportive Campus Director Sir Ardniel Baladjay, sa mga sponsors, sa lahat ng students na tumulong. Kahit hnd man tayo yong naging champion this year proud na proud ako sa lahat ng athletes at coaches na nag participate. Isang magandang simula ang ipinakita natin na kaya nating tumayo at lumabang mag isa. Masaya nga ako kanina dahil na mangha ang ilang vice presidents ng university dahil di nila akalain na first time ng PALMA sa unilympics. Sa result natin hindi na masama para sa baguhan palang at siguro sa susunod mas marami ng event ang salihan natin para mas marami na tayong gold na makuha. Ineencourage ko rin yung mga datihang players at yung mga gusto matuto na maaga pa lang ay magparticipate na para mas maging maganda pa ang kalabasan ng mga entry natin next Unilympics.โ
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด
397 points worth of blood, sweat, and tears came from the following:
Gold
1. Saludo
2. Menโs Sepak Takraw
3. Menโs Beach Volleyball
4. Womenโs Shot Put
5. Womenโs Javelin Throw
6. Womenโs 3K Run
7. Womenโs 5K Run
Silver
1. Womenโs Beach Volleyball
2. Baseball
3. Womenโs Non-Traditional Single Weapon Arnis
4. Parade
Bronze
1. Womenโs Volleyball
2. Menโs Traditional Single Weapon Arnis
3. Menโs Traditional Double Weapon Arnis
4. Menโs Non-Traditional Single Weapon Arnis
5. Menโs Team Traditional Weapon Arnis
6. Menโs Team Nontraditional Weapon Arnis
7. Womenโs Traditional Single Weapon Arnis
8. Womenโs 3-on-3 Basketball
9. Menโs 10K Run
10. Womenโs Long Jump
11. Menโs Long Jump
12. Womenโs Sepak Takraw
13. Menโs Taekwondo Kyorugi Flyweight
14. Menโs Taekwondo Kyorugi Bantamweight
15. Menโs Taekwondo Kyorugi Lightweight
16. Softball
Against all odds, the underdogs, the Unit V Maroon Ravens, did well in their first hunt.
Image and Layout: Gio Navarrete IV of Siugdayaw
