What’s new? NCR flexes muscles

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Philippines — For the 19th straight Palarong Pambansa, National Capital Region lorded it over the field, winning the overall medal race in runaway fashion.

The Metro Stars had 91 gold, 70 silver and 71 bronze medals before the closing rites of the 66th Palarong Pambansa at the Lipus Makapandong Gov. D.O. Sports Complex here yesterday.

NCR will still be the defending champion as the Palarong Pambansa rolls to Quezon City next year.

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte graced the Agusan del Sur closing ceremony for the official turnover of the hosting baton.

Thanks to a gold rush in the traditional Olympic disciplines like swimming and athletics, the Big City bets dominated. NCR put the cherry on top with gold medals in secondary girls’ volleyball led by the National U-Nazareth School and secondary boys’ football spearheaded by Far Eastern U-Diliman on Saturday.

Metro Manila claimed back-to-back titles in the girls’ volleyball after a 22-25, 25-14, 25-19, 25-18 win over the Negros Island Region, represented by the Bacolod Tay Tung High School that ruled the Palaro for two years before NCR’s redemption last year in Laoag.

NCR’s win in these two staple team sports made up for its downfall in secondary boys’ basketball, where the team settled for the bronze. NCR bowed to former champion Davao Region in the semis, 76-66, before defeating Central Luzon in the battle for third, 81-74. Calabarzon emerged as the surprise champion with a 79-62 win over Davao to snap a 10-year title drought.