NCR reasserts mastery vs. Bacolod to retain Palarong Pambansa HS volleyball title

AGUSAN DEL SUR—The National Capital Region overcame a Set 1 hiccup to complete a 22-25, 25-14, 25-19, 25-18 win over Negros Island Region in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa secondary girls volleyball finals on Saturday.

NCR, bannered by National University Nazareth School, defended its crown by repeating its finals mastery over Bacolod Tay Tung, the same team it defeated to reclaim the crown last year in Ilocos Norte.

UAAP Season 88 girls volleyball MVP Diza Marie Berayo steered NCR by top-scoring with 17 points anchored on 13 attacks, three aces, and one block, while Mary Nicole Pelaez posted 16 markers built on 12 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.

Raine Alonzo chipped in 14 points while middle blocker Jaila Adrao had 10 markers.

Bacolod raced to a 23-22 lead in Set 1 despite losing star spiker Rhose Almendralejo to an apparent ankle injury after a bad landing following a spike attempt from the left side. The rising outside spiker was stretchered off the court and never returned to the game.

Still, Bacolod closed out the opening frame in the absence of one of its top scorers as Mardy Tayag sealed it with a service ace.

NCR flexed experience and depth in the succeeding sets with Adelaine Agustin and Nicole Pelaez denying Jhaennine Mayang to seal a dominant Set 2 showing. A service error by Mayang then finished Set 3 for NCR as the Lady Bullpups moved a win away from the title.

Without their top gun on the floor, Bacolod just slowly faded as NCR built a massive 20-13 cushion off a powerful service from Berayo, who helped NUNS capture back-to-back titles in the UAAP.

Pelaez delivered the winning blow, completing a combination play perfectly set up by Micaella Gould, to punctuate the victory and keep NCR's reign in high school volleyball.
—JKC, GMA News