By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
ILOCOS SUR – National Capital Region capped another dominating show in the 2018 Palarong Pambansa with a masterful victory in the secondary boys basketball at the close of the multisport event here.
Represented by the National University Bullpups, the Metro Manila dribblers demolished Davao Region, 100-80, at the San Juan Municipal gym for their second straight title.
Terrence Fortea anchored NCR with 28 points even as Gerry Abadiano, who was later adjudged the Most Valuable Player, chipped in 24 points.
NCR started slow taking a slim 20-18 edge late in the first quarter before pulling away for good as they led by as many as 35 points, 64-29, late in the second quarter.
“Na-sustain namin yung energy namin after first quarter,” said NCR coach Goldwyn Monteverde, whose team is supported by Freego’s Eduard Tio.
NCR finished the tournament unbeaten after completing a three-game sweep of the elims.
Despite the loss, Davao Region, represented mostly of players from Holy Child of Davao, was still happy with its performance as it bettered its quarterfinal finish last year.
NCR’s basketball win hiked its gold haul to 100. The Big City bets also harvested 70 silver and 50 bronze medals.
They struck heavily in swimming with 38 golds, including six from Michaela Jasmine Mojdeh, as well as in gymnastics where it reaped 12 golds.
Calabarzon was a far second with 55 golds, 50 silvers and 73 bronzes after showing its might in athletics where it collected 20 gold medals.
Western Visayas came in third with a 42-44-52 tally, including 13 in athletics, followed by followed by Central Visayas (26-23-31).
Cordillera Administrative Region posted 25-22-23 after ruling the taekwondo competitions with a nine-gold haul, even as Northern Mindanao finished with 23-18-29 highlighted by snaring six of the 10 golds at stake in boxing.
A total of 40 records were also shattered in the weeklong event—the most number ever in history—including three national junior records in athletics.
Swimmers reset the highest number of records with 19, followed by athletics with 16 and five from archery.
The event, however, was tainted by controversy after a Cebu City teacher allegedly molested a 14-year-old dancesport male athlete.
The teacher, who was not part of the delegation, is facing criminal and administrative charges and was reportedly released after posting bail.
