PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - Davao just overcame its biggest hurdle in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa secondary boys' basketball tournament in its march towards back-to-back championships.
Energized by a partisan crowd inside the EOC Evacuation Center of the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor D.O. Plaza Sports Complex here, Region XI got off to a strong start before going on an even finer finish to down traditional powerhouse National Capital Region, 76-66, in the semifinals on Friday evening.
With the Mindanaoan crowd fully behind them, the Ateneo de Davao-backed side raced to a 14-8 start that then ballooned to a 36-16 lead courtesy of a triple to beat the first quarter buzzer by Aaron Bayanban.
Not long after, Rene 'Bebot' Baterbonia joined in on the fun, and back-to-back threes increased their edge to 36-16 at the 6:26 mark of the second quarter.
NCR, backstopped by University of the East, came as close as five a couple of times, but Baterbonia and Co. always had the quick counter.
Metro Manila will be on the outside looking into the title game for the second year in a row.
CALABARZ-on!
Davao's back-to-back championships are easier said than done, of course, especially with a peaking CALABARZON eager to put them to the test in the finals on Saturday.
In its own semifinal game, Region IV-A rode the broad shoulders of Dairick Duterte to take down very game Central Luzon, 83-76.
Duterte scattered 20 points, with his massive frame proving to be a problem for undersized Region III. Richmond San Diego was right there with him with 19 markers of his own.
CALABARZON topped its group in the preliminary phase, but flew under the radar compared to fancied Davao, NCR, and Western Visayas, last year's silver medalist.
Now, the St. John Wort's Integrated School-supported unit has a golden opportunity to write a fairy tale ending to a Cinderella run.
NCR and Central Luzon, meanwhile, will dispute the bronze medal.
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