There will be a new champion in the Palarong Pambansa secondary boys basketball after Western Visayas (Region VI) expels perennial contender and 2024 Palaro champs National Capital Region, 76-67, at the Centennial Arena in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on Thursday morning, May 29.

The Nazareth School of National University-represented NCR was undefeated coming into the quarterfinals while the St. Roberts International College-backed Western Visayas flexed a 3-1 win-loss slate.

Brent Lucido had a personal six point run for NCR in the final minute of the first quarter before Western Visayas’ Johnelijah Luke Rose scored from an elbow jumper to trim the lead, 21-20.

NCR continued to maintain their slim lead in the second canto, leading by six, 37-43, at the end of the first half.

Luke Rose led the surge for the Coach John Guanco-helmed team in the second half, along with the persistent efforts of team captain Paul Jovan Santome and Alfred Ysulan, Jr. 

Western Visayas found their rhythm from beyond the arc while taking advantage of NCR’s turnovers to end the third quarter with a four-point cushion, 56-52, before pulling away in the final frame.

Western Visayas now awaits the winner of the fourth quarterfinal match between Soccsksargen and Southern Tagalog-CALABARZON scheduled on Thursday afternoon.