THE National Capital Region (NCR) was in high gear all weeklong to emerge overall champion for the 13th consecutive year of the Palarong Pambansa that ended over the weekend in San Jose de Buenavista in Antique.
NCR reaped 98 gold medals that went with 66 silver and 45 bronze to top the medals race and come out a runaway winner ahead of a resurgent Southern Tagalog, which garnered 41 gold, 57 silver and as many bronze medals to sneak to second place overall.
Western Visayas lost steam in the closing days and wound up third with a 38-29-40 gold-silver-bronze tally.
Calabarzon scratched NCR’s armor in secondary girls’ volleyball with a 20-25, 11-25, 25-16, 25-16, 15-9 come-from-behind win and also survived Davao Region, 25-23, 24-26, 26-24, 25-20, in the boys’ final on Saturday.
Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao and Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones thanked the more than 12,000 delegates, including 7,000 athletes, from the country’s 18 regions for the success of the 60th edition of the Palaro during the closing ceremonies at Binirayan Sports Complex on Saturday. Records fell during the week particularly in swimming with 15 and athletics with 10.
NCR’s Sacho Ilustre sas undeniably the best swimmer of the Palaro with seven golds highlighted by three new in the 100-meter freestyle, 200-meter butterfly and teamed up with Drew Magbag, Andrei Pogiongko and Jerald Jacinto in the 4×100-meter medley.
Jacinto also shattered the 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke and 4×50-meter medley records with Magbag, setting a new standard in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Nicole Pamintuan was also dominating for NCR in the secondary girls division with gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter freestyle.
James Lozanes of Western Visayas and Sylvian Abunda of Northern Mindanao were responsible for the new records in secondary boys and girls javelin throw while Kate Julienne Martinez of Negros Island region made a record-smashing performance in discus throw.
Calabarzon’s secondary girls 4×400-meter relay team of Charmaine de Ocampo, Jesser Lumapas, Millifagne Matchino and Elvieane Gobotia also set a new record.
Ilocos Region’s Ana Marie Eugenio (400-meter hurdles) and NCR’s Francis Obiena (pole vault), were the other record breakers in athletics. Vigan City, Baguio City and Bocaue, meanwhile, have submitted their bids for next year’s Palaro.
Image credits: Roy Domingo