5 days ago
NCR extends Palarong Pambansa supremacy with 18th straight overall crown
ILOCOS NORTE - NCR has once again asserted its athletic mastery as the Big City emerged as the overall champion in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, extending its reign for the 18th straight edition now.
NCR athletes plucked 117 gold medals laced with 70 silver medals and 50 bronze medals to rule the 19-region field that went at it for a week in various towns in Ilocos Norte.
No other region came close, with Region IV-A (CALABARZON) finishing a distant second with 47 golds, 68 silvers, and 66 bronzes while Region VI (Western Visayas) rounded out the top three with 44 golds, 54 silvers, and 58 bronzes.
NCR harvested most of its gold medals from swimming, athletics, and gymnastics.
Swimmers Titus Sia and Sophia Garra each had seven medals, becoming the most bemedalled athletes in the tournament, while graduating Jeralyn Rodriguez collected five gold medals in track and field.
Gymnast Arman Hernandez from Pasay City and swimmer Patricia Santos from Manila also had an overwhelming five-gold haul while Pi Durden Wangkay of Muntinlupa City grabbed four golds in athletics.
NCR also ruled the secondary girls volleyball after National University Nazareth School dominated two-time defending champions Western Visayas in the finals.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
