by: Harold V. Gallo

Centro De Cultura, Inc. (CDC) ran away in the difficult round and copped the title of the Pisay Quiz Show Grand Finals 3rd edition held at SM City, Cauayan City, Sept. 21, 2014.

Supported by the dominant crowd from the host city, CDC’s team composed of Edrian Paul S. Liao, Vien Vincent Jio J. Viloria and Allex Matthew F. Ty, scored a staggering 35 points in the Final Round to bring home the title.

The team in white-and-green uniform had a slow start after scoring only eight points in the Easy Round, but picked up the slack in the Average Round with a round-high 24 points and finally scored 35 in the payoff round to punctuate their run and amassed 67 overall points.

Assistant coach Redentor Samante dismissed the idea that homecourt advantage played a role in the victory and pointed that their pupils are ready because of enough preparation and trainings they had.

We are confident with our kids because they have been exposed not only to local competitions but also to international contests” added Samante.

Team skipper Liao, who has participated in international Math competitions, said that the experience is unique but admitted that the questions are difficult because Science and Abstract Reasoning questions were included.

Head coach Carlota A. Cureg, praised her team saying “they have the tools to excel because they have the dedication to make it to the highest level. These are kids also excel in sports, math, arts and other areas. They are an exceptional team.

It’s just amazing winning the contest because this is a lifetime feat for graduating pupils and aspiring Pisay scholars like us”, Liao added.

Meanwhile, Tuguegarao West Central School – Regular Curriculum copped second place after scoring 57 points.

While CDC had enough time and preparations, the second best team lamented on the lack of time in preparing for the competitions because of the typhoons that hit Region 2 prior to the Grand Finals.

We doubted our first answers, madaming times na pinalitan namin ‘yung mga sagot dahil magkakaiba kami ng answers”, added team member Kasandra Ortezze B. Gudao.

TWCS, also known as School of the Future, had two teams in the Finals, the Science Curriculum team and the Regular Curriculum team, but the Regular Curriculum team composed of Gudao, Marlo Macaraniag Jr., and John Ulysses N. Doniego, edged out their sister team and finished with the silver medal.

Meanwhile, School of Saint James the Apostle in Santiago City composed of Kyla Elisa D. Sacmar, Marc Jose C. Simon, John Carlo D. Manuel, bagged third place with 54 points.

Completing the top 5 schools were Pe?ablanca West Central School and Claveria Central School, respectively.

The Quiz Show has a tremendous success in its third year of inception. I believe that the competition helped these pupils prepare for the Pisay entrance examination”, quipped Ronald Navalta, Extension Coordinator and one of the organizers.

Last year’s champion Tuguegarao North Central School did not defend its title because they TWCS clinched the two spots in the Tuguegarao cluster.

The winners received trophies, medals and cash prizes worth Php 3,000, Php. 2,000 and Php. 1,000 for the Champion, 1st-Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up respectively. #