With Duterte watching, Davao spikers win opener

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Davao City launched its golden campaign in secondary boys’ volleyball with a 25-20, 25-20 victory over Cagayan region at the start of the Palarong Pambansa action at the University of San Jose-Recoletos Basak Campus here yesterday.

The rousing win was made more special by the presence of Vice President Sara Duterte, who made a surprise visit and cheered for the Davao boys during the hotly-contested duel.

In secondary girls’ volleyball, host Central Visayas, represented by University of San Jose Recoletos, eked out an 18-25, 25-10, 25-22 victory over Caraga, which fielded Agusan del Sur National High School, to launch its gold medal campaign on a high note as well.

Julien Gadingan scored the Jaguars’ last three points in the third and deciding set after a 22-all count.

Also setting in motion its campaign in the same division was Bicol, which outlasted Central Luzon, 25-17, 25-21.

In secondary boys’ volley, Calabarzon stamped its class over Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, 25-15, 25-17.

In secondary boys’ basketball at the University of San Carlos Main-Downtown campus, Central Luzon smashed Western Visayas, 80-62, while Davao edged a feisty Caraga, 78-73.

Central Luzon massacred Mimaropa, 86-59, in secondary girls’ basketball.