Mik Balce of AJHS 8-Berchmans wins gold at Palarong Pambansa 2013

Last April, Ateneo de Manila Junior High School student Manuel “Mik” Balce III of 8-Berchmans competed in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa. Mik competed as a member of the NCR Lawn Tennis Team in the games, which were held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental from April 21 to 27. Together with partner Marcus del Rosario of San Beda, Mik won a gold medal in the lawn tennis doubles event, elementary boys category.  In addition to the gold medal, Mik also received a total of P20,000 in allowances and incentives, which his parents deposited in the bank.

Mik has been playing tennis since he was seven years old. He is the brother of Mark Balce, another multi-awarded tennis player, who graduated from the Ateneo de Manila High School in March 2008 and is currently enrolled at the Loyola Schools. 

With a final medal tally of 114 golds, 111 silvers, and 54 bronzes, Team NCR was again the overall champion of Palarong Pambansa 2013, the ninth straight year it has finished at the top among the Philippines' 17 competing regions. More than 10,000 student athletes, teachers, and trainors participated in the games.