National Capital Region is Palarong Pambansa champion – again

By Robert Andaya

Laoag City — National Capital Region (NCR) emerged as the overall champion for the 18th straight in the Palarong Pambansa held in this beautiful capital city of Ilocos Norte.

The NCR captured  117 gold medals in this week-long, multi-sports meet organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) and supported by Philippine Sports Commission and the Local Government of Laoag City.

Based on the final and official tally, the  NCR bets  also added 70 silver and 50 bronze medals for a total of 237 medals.

NCR tankers Sophia Rose Garra and Titus Rafael Sia were named as the most bemedaled athletes after swimming their way to seven gold medals each.

CALABARZON placed second after collecting 47 gold, 68 silver and 66 bronze medals for a total of 181.

Western Visayas had 44 gold, 54 silver and 58 bronze medals for the third place, while Davao Region (43-28-36) and Northern Mindanao (31-26-46) placed fourth and fifth.

The complete top 10 were, Central Luzon (29-25-36), Central Visayas (25-32-52), Caraga (21-20-43), Cordillera Administrative Region (17-13-11) and Eastern Visayas (16-17-21).

Aside from Garra and Sia, the other outstanding athletes who helped the NCR extend its reign were  Jeralyn Rodriguez, Arman Hernandez Jr., and Patricia Mae Santor, who  stood out by capturing five gold medals each in their respective sports.

Sharing the limelight were Pi Durden Forward Wangkay, King Cjay Pernia, Ryian Zach Danzel Belen, and Zayanna Ysabel Enriquez, who each notched four gold medals.

The Metro Stars dominated both the secondary and elementary divisions.

They earned 72 gold, 56 silver, and 40 bronze medals in the secondary division, and 45 gold, 14 silver, and 10 bronze medals in the elementary division.

In the Para Games, Western Visayas took the overall champion with 23 gold, 21 silver, and 14 bronze medals. CALABARZON followed in second place with 13 gold, 16 silver, and 10 bronze medals.

SOCSKSARGEN (8 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze), NCR (7-4-6), and Davao Region (5-5-7) secured third, fourth, and fifth places, respectively.

In the demo sports category, Zamboanga Peninsula claimed the top spot with 4 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal. CALABARZON (3-4-1) and Central Visayas (3-3-0) took second and third places, respectively.

The 66th Palarong Pambansa will be held in Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur.