Davao routs Western Visayas for first-ever Palarong Pambansa HS basketball title
ILOCOS NORTE - Davao has finally brought the title home as the Eagles pulled away late to silence Western Visayas, 67-51, in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa secondary boys basketball finals on Friday at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
The victory was a historic feat for the region as it clinched its first-ever Palaro gold medal in the high school ranks.
READ | Palarong Pambansa Medal Tally
Jhonmark Pelegrino and Rene Clert Baterbonia carried the offensive onslaught for Davao as the rising tandem poured in 19 points each to help the squad improve from their bronze medal finish last year.
"Sobrang overwhelmed ko ngayon, sobrang happy ko pero si Lord lahat 'yun. Lahat naman ng teams nagpa-practice at nagsa-sacrifice everyday pero sinu-surrender namin lahat kay Lord," Davao head coach Jess Evangelio said.
"Very thankful kami kasi ayun nga, history. First-time ever."
Davao started off hot and mounted an early 15-8 separation at the end of the first quarter, but Western Visayas turned to Luke Rose once again as the 15-year-old guard picked up where he left off and fueled a second quarter rampage.
The youthful court general fired 13 points in that period, including three three-pointers that helped Western Visayas pull within just three points at the half, 27-24.
But Baterbonia and Pelegrino took care of business for Davao in the second half with the former scoring nine points as part of a massive 14-3 blast to open the penultimate period, 41-27. They ended the third enjoying a 46-37 lead.
Pelegrino put together the finishing kick by unleashing eight of their last 10 points en route to the 16-point victory as they humbled Western Visayas, which was coming off a pair of upset victories over NCR in quarterfinals and CALABARZON in semifinals.
"Ang hirap po ng pinagdaanan namin na araw-araw na practice po para lang po dito sa Palaro," Pelegrino said.
"Naging susi lang dito ay 'yung pagsisikap po namin at pagtawag sa Panginoon lagi. Araw-raw bago matulog nagdadasal kami para bigyan kami ng gabay dito."
The win also saw Davao complete a title sweep, going undefeated in four games in the elimination round before beating Northern Mindanao in quarterfinals and Central Luzon in semifinals.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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