Home 
They should not have been in the Milo Little Olympics were it not for some friendly persuasion, a loan from their school?s PTCA and the egging of their town officials.
Now, the talented gradeschool volleybelles of Catmon Central School are the proud owners of the volleyball gold medal of the 1st National Milo Little Olympics hosted recently by Cebu City. It was another grand title for the gutsy spikers of this sleepy town located in northern Cebu.
Days before the regional Milo meet, team coach Vilma Veloso, who also teaches in the champion school, decided not to let her wards compete after learning that they will have to shoulder their own expenses. Milo only foots the bill in the national finals.
But Milo regional meet overall chairman Ricky Ballesteros personally went to Catmon to persuade Veloso and the players to change their mind, fully aware that the 3-time Palarong Pambansa champion will be a major force in the region?s quest for the overall title.
Call it a streak of luck, because when Ballesteros visited them, no less than the town mayor was watching the team?s practice. Mayor Estrella Areval then promised to allocate funds for their participation and since government money takes time to be released, school principal Nestor Molde decided to get a loan from their school?s PTCA.
The Catmon girls went on to win the regional title and earned a slot to the national finals where they bagged the gold medal without losing a single set.
The girls? solid showing was also a major factor in the Visayas winning the overall crown, as the region climbed from third place on opening day to the overall title on the second and final day of hostilities.
But the path to the top was anything but rosy for Veloso?s wards who were subjected to extreme humiliation when an NCR coach questioned their ages and eligibility. They were made to line up in front of Milo officials while their credentials were being checked.
But as they say, you can?t put a good man down. How much more a bunch of power-spiking angels whose only desire is to win their games no matter how daunting the odds maybe?
The Catmon girls returned the favor by silencing NCR in the final match, 25-6, 25-11.
The champion team is composed of six sixth graders, four fifth graders and three fourth graders, and led by team captain Stella Maris Tibay, 11. Other members include Mariel Menchavez, Montebon, Ares, Sammonah Resh, Aster Pinky Pontillas, Wellamae Ortega, Crisley Ann Sucalit, Sweet Otero, Maria Lina Isabel Molde, Mary Angelou Castillo and Justine Dorog.
The team trains for three hours everyday after school hours, whole day on Saturdays and half day on Sundays. And when the team is preparing for a big meet like the Palaro, the girls add a morning session, not more than two hours before classes start.
Veloso is helped by trainer Mark Donald Makoto and her son Zack Veloso in whipping the girls into one formidable squad.
On Saturdays, coach Veloso takes her wards to her home to watch volleyball on CDs or simply to have some bonding time by watching movies on DVD or having a videoke session. Because she knows, having fun is part of their winning formula.
