GOLDEN SMASHERS: NCR dominates Palaro ‘26 volleyball, captures 3 of 4 gold medals

The National Capital Region (NCR) cemented its status as the country’s premier volleyball delegation of the Palarong Pambansa 2026, notching three out of the four gold medals during the championship matches, May 30.

Powered by strong performances inside multiple divisions, NCR emerged as the event’s most feted delegation, reigning supreme in the secondary boys’, secondary girls’, and elementary boys’ titles.

NCR outlasts Western Visayas for elem boys’ crown

The Metro stars nabbed their first championship versus Western Visayas in the elementary boys’ division after prevailing in three gripping sets, 25–18, 21–25, 25–23.

After drawing first blood in the game, Region VI then responded in the second set to force a decider against NCR, 21–25.

In the tightly contested rubber set, NCR held its nerves in crunch time to fend off the Western Visayas rally and clinch the crown.

Meanwhile, Central Visayas redeemed its semifinal defeat by sweeping Cagayan Valley,  25–19, 25–21, to claim the bronze medal.

Cagayan Valley snares elem girls’ gold, routs Davao Region 

Region II eluded NCR from a total dominance in the taraflex as they steamrolled past Region XI in swift fashion, 25–18, 25–19.

Cagayan Valley established control early and never looked back, using its balanced attack and steady court defense to keep Davao Region at bay throughout the fixture.

Western Visayas nipped the bronze medal after a dominant third set win versus Negros Island Region (NIR) via a 25–20, 18–25, 25–5 victory.

Metro Stars overpower Calabarzon for second crown 

NCR took their second championship of the tournament after routing Calabarzon in straight sets, 25–15, 25–18, 25–15.

The champions brought out a storm from the first set, seizing the frame easily at 25–15. 

Their momentum continued as they dominated the second and third sets, where they gave no chance for Calabarzon to redeem themselves.

Davao settled for third place as they destroyed Soccsksargen after a setback in four sets: 25–19, 23–25, 29–27, 25–15.

NCR denies NIR’s redemption bid, snares third crown

NIR’s powerhouse team from Bacolod Tay Tung High School was no match for the NCR representatives from National University–Nazareth School as the latter completed a reverse sweep after a set deficit, 22–25, 25–14, 25–19, 25–18.

BTTHS challenged NCR in the first set, coming in close contact to steal the first set from them.

Unfortunately, in the same set, NIR star player Rhose Almendralejo suffered an injury after a bad landing and was forced to leave the court.

After the setback, it became a smooth sail for the Metro Stars without Almendralejo as they took the second set with little resistance, 25–14.

Their momentum carried on to the third and fourth sets, taking both frames as NIR’s defense gradually collapsed.

With the triumph, the Metro Stars were decisively crowned as the Palaro’s overall volleyball champions.

Moreover, the region also finished first overall in the final rankings, bagging 91 gold, 71 silver, and 71 bronze medals.