The province of Laguna reclaimed this year’s Southern Tagalog CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) Athletic Association or STCAA title during the weeklong sports event held last February 26 to March 4, 2007 at the Provincial Sports Complex in Brgy. Bolbok, Batangas City.

     Formerly known as Southern Tagalog Regional Athletic Association or STRAA Meet, Laguna topped all 14 local government units (LGUs) in the CALABARZON area composing the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. This includes the cities of Calamba, San Pablo, Sta. Rosa, Antipolo, Batangas, Lipa, Tanauan, Lucena, and Cavite. It was only last year when Laguna didn’t emerge overall champion. Prior to last year’s set-back, Laguna was the title holder for 7 straight years.

     Laguna garnered a total of 521 points for both elementary (213 points) and High school (308 points). Runner-up Cavite and Rizal placed far second and third overall with 383 and 333.5 points respectively.

     The Laguna athletes displayed their adeptness in sports as they topped all three categories (ballgames, athletics, and swimming) for boys in elementary. Their counterparts in elementary on the other hand, the Lagunense girls topped the athletics category. The same is true in the high school level as the boys exhibited their toughness placing second overall in athletics and swimming, and topping the ballgames on the other hand. The high school girls also displayed their hardiness placing second in athletics, and topping the ballgames and swimming on the other hand.

     This achievement depicts the unwavering support of the provincial government headed by Gov. Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro, who is a youth and sports advocate herself. In fact, the program for sports is included in her flagship 7-Point Agenda.

     With another feat in the making, the Laguna athletes, their coaches and trainers, as well as the education officials thank the lady governor for her steadfast support in sports development and promotion. # (PIO-Laguna)