NCR extends reign, seals 19th straight Palarong Pambansa crown

Reigning over the competition since 2005, the National Capital Region (NCR) Metro Stars continued their unmatched dominance after clinching their 19th consecutive overall championship in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur.

The Metro Stars topped the standings with 91 gold, 71 silver, and 71 bronze medals, finishing well ahead of CALABARZON, which secured second place with a 55-50-60 gold-silver-bronze haul.

Davao Region completed the top three after collecting 34 gold, 32 silver, and 34 bronze medals. 

The region’s campaign was anchored by its secondary division, which contributed 73 gold, 51 silver, and 50 bronze medals, while the elementary team added 24 gold, 18 silver, and 25 bronze medals to power NCR’s push towards dominance.

Swimming and gymnastics once again served as NCR’s strongest medal sources, powering its dominant campaign across multiple events.

In swimming, NCR produced one of its most impressive performances, led by standout swimmer Patricia Mae Santor, who made history with a perfect seven-gold medal sweep, emerging as the most medaled athlete of the national tilt..

In artistic gymnastics, Deen Gungob of Pasay City (Elementary Boys – Cluster 2) delivered a breakthrough performance, winning four gold medals in the individual all-around, horizontal bar, pommel horse, and team all-around events.

NCR likewise maintained its dominance in women’s artistic gymnastics, clinching both elementary and secondary team championships to sustain its long-standing reign in the discipline.

Beyond aquatics and gymnastics, the big city also made its presence felt in other major competitions, with the secondary girls volleyball team led by NU Nazareth School sustaining its winning tradition by completing a back-to-back championship run.

NCR maintained stellar form from last year’s edition with a landslide of 117 gold, 70 silver, and 50 bronze medals.

The Metro Stars would vie to lord over the weeklong annual national sporting event and rule the competition for two decades on home soil, as Quezon City would host the Palaro 2027.

With reports from Rappler, GMA News