GOLD BLITZ: NCR rules ‘26 Palaro Badminton tilt, hauls 4 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronze medals

San Sebastian College duo Ralph Dalojo and John Vincent Lanuza powered the ‘big city’s golden road with a swift 2–0 sweep against silver finalists Central Visayas’ Jermielle Rolos and Lloyd Resema as Zamboanga Peninsula and Western Visayas pocketed the bronze medals.

Meanwhile, Marikina High School’s shuttler Christel Fuentespina, bagged the gold medal in the women’s singles category, blanking NIR’s Gweneth Chiva, 21–14, 21–13, while Ma. Nicole Notorio of NAS secured the bronze.

The stars also aligned for NCR as the tandem of Kynrel Ramos and Trisha Mae Ticala brought their sharp smashes to seize the gold medal in the elementary mixed doubles category against Kendra Durhom and Dwayne Ivan Diango of Northern Mindanao as Soccksargen and Cagayan Valley settled for bronze.

Repeating the script, Lanuza and Fuentespina completed their golden road, routing the NAS-based dyad of Tracy Brigino and Stephen Pantuan with a 21–9, 21–10 win in the secondary mixed doubles category as Calabarzon and NIR took the bronze honors.

On the other side, Kate Ocladina and Jasmine Reformina of Northern Mindanao spoiled NCR’s gold rush in the secondary girls’ doubles with a reverse sweep finish, 20–22, 21–11, 21–11, against Imari Jimenez and Jhiane Sabarillo as NAS and Central Luzon rounded out the podium.

Cadiz West II tandem of Theo Jude Depositario and Joshua Layao captured NIR’s gold medal via a 21–17, 21–10 victory against NorMin bets Dwayne Diango and Elson Jay Layos as NCR and Central Luzon took the bronze in elementary boys’ doubles.

Negros Island Region’s Cris Ivan Dosano took advantage of Central Luzon’s Most Promising athlete awardee in this year’s Palaro, as Ryan Almario Bernal committed five unforced errors in the crucial latter part of set 2, (21-19, 21-15), cementing Dosano’s golden finish in the secondary boys’ singles.

Emmanuel Christian School’s Alexzandrea Noceja and Jan Jewel Pimentel of Calabarzon took home the top spot with a 21–15, 21–18 win over Zamboanga Peninsula’s Lexie Enero and Nenia Misiona, as Central Visayas and NCR bagged bronze.

Narvacan Catholic Schools top dog Carlitos Joe Corrales bannered Ilocos Region’s first gold medal finish in the badminton tournament as he trashed Cagayan Valley’s Jazz Malaque with a resounding 21–6, 21–7 triumph as Calabarzon and Central Visayas earned bronze in the boys’ singles category.

Central Visayas owned the top two podium finishes for the elementary girls’ singles, with Jhenryl Seno taking home the gold medal and Amarie Archival in silver, while CAR’s Marga Aguirre and Renee Somentac claimed the bronze medal.  

In the awarding ceremonies, tournament winners and special awardees received certificates of merit, medals, apparel, and a badminton racket sponsored by Felet Philippines.