From having an almost but not quite finish in last year’s Palarong Atenista as first-runner ups, the Accountancy Griffins stomped the other six clusters to be crowned this year’s Palarong Atenista overall champion.

The Griffins, under the leadership of Vince Cesar Canonigo, finally added another trophy for the Accountancy cluster after years of Palaro championship crown drought.

Canonigo’s victory formula consisted of a sensible system, solid foundation, and sheer preparedness as a cluster.

“We admit that all of the other clusters are strong during the whole Palaro, but I have told them [Griffin athletes] just to trust the process, trust their teammates, and to give their all in every game they play,” Canonigo told Atenews.

“The three things that I have told them [Griffins] that they must have to win is preparedness, preparedness, and preparedness.” 

After being asked about his thoughts on the essence of the Palarong Atenista to the Ateneo de Davao community, the Griffins cluster representative shared that the event is a celebration of the talents of the athletes and, more importantly, a reminder about the essence of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

“It [Palarong Atenista] is also a way of championing the community that we have, the cluster that we have, and the community of the Ateneo itself,” Canonigo added.

Canonigo revealed that the turning point that bolstered their chances of victory was their women’s volleyball gold medal, for that very competition was deciding whether they would secure the Big Three spots.

This year’s Palarong Atenista’s first runner-up and the Ignatian award went to the paws of the School of Nursing (SON) Panthers, while the School of Business and Management (B&M) Vipers slithered their way to the second runner-up podium.

This year’s Palarong Atenista awarding ceremony was held at the University’s Martin Hall last October 14.