NCR dominates 2017 Palarong Pambansa

The National Capital Region (NCR) dominated the 2017 Palarong Pambansa in Antique province.

The NCR Athletics Association claimed a total of 98 golds, 66 silvers, and 45 bronze medals in the annual event, which closed on Saturday.

One of the highlights of NCR's victory was the basketball tournament, where its team marked an overwhelming victory over Western Visayas, 75-48.

"Sobrang dami ng fans kasi taga-dito kalaban namin. Natakot din kami pero sabi namin hindi kami nagpadala doon. Sabi namin hindi namin pagbibigyan sa una pa lang," said NCR's Encho Serrano, who was named Most Valuable Player with 19 points.

The NCR was followed by Calabarzon which hauled 41 golds, 57 silvers and 57 bronze medals.

Calabarzon's pride Veruel Verdadero, meanwhile, got the most number of medals in track events.

Verdadero won gold medals in the individual 100-meter run, 200-meter run, 400-meter run, and 4x400-meter relay.

"Nag-training po kami ng ilang months para dito. 'Di ko po akalain na makuha po ako ng ganto kasi last year po wala akong nakuha. Relay lang po," Verdadero said.

"Talagang nag-improve siya. Dati may mga training kami na hindi natatapos yung workout pero ngayon siya pa ang humihiling ng sobra, dagdag," his coach, Fernando Dagasdas, added.

Western Visayas placed third with 38 golds, 29 silvers at 40 bronze medals. —Anna Felicia Bajo/ALG, GMA News