Davao knocks out NCR, sets up clash with Duterte’s Calabarzon for Palaro hoops crown

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Philippines – Defending champion Davao Region moved within a win of a title repeat in secondary boys’ basketball after a resounding 76-66 victory over National Capital Region in the semifinals of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa on Friday, May 29.

Deadshot guard Aaron Joash Bayanban and big man Rene Clert Baterbonia formed a one-two punch as the Eagles advanced to the finals at the EOC Evacuation Center in Prosperidad here, setting up a last dance with Calabarzon.

Bayanban finished with a game-high 19 points built on 5 triples to lead the way for a hot-shooting Davao side that rained 12 three-pointers on the Metro Stars on the way to a commanding lead that it never relinquished.

NCR trailed by just a single possession late in the opening quarter, 10-12, before Bayanban and Aeron Lloyd Luage knocked down a pair of treys in a blazing 12-0 run that stretched their lead to 24-10.

Bayanban hit another three-pointer midway through the second quarter that gave Davao its biggest lead of the game at 36-16. 

A native of Agusan del Sur, Baterbonia delivered before his home fans with a cool 15 points as he held his own against 6-foot-8 big man Eoin Braga, backstopping Bayanban in a crucial fourth quarter that saw Davao fend off a late NCR run.

NCR chipped away at its deficit and got as close as 6 points off a Braga jumper, 53-59, but the Eagles held on, with Bayanban cashing in his fifth and final three-pointer with 1:55 minutes remaining for a 71-61 cushion.

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Rhysus Bajenting added 10 points as the Eagles, represented by Ateneo de Davao, still clinched the convincing win despite a shaky offensive performance by star guard Macky Peligrino, who was emotional after the game, draping a towel over his head. 

Sizco Roquid and Braga tallied 16 and 12 points, respectively, to lead the NCR team bannered by the UE Junior Warriors.

Earlier, Calabarzon hacked out a hard-fought 83-76 victory over Central Luzon in the other semifinal bracket, banking on the quartet of Dairick Duterte, Richmond San Diego, Rainheart Panaligan, and Ali Mamauag. 

Cheered on heavily by the crowd for having the same surname as former president Rodrigo Duterte, the big-bodied Duterte showed out with 21 points. 

San Diego chipped in 19 points, Panaligan tallied 17 points, and Mamauag contributed 16 points, including two booming treys in a win-clinching 15-8 run that allowed Calabarzon to break a 68-68 deadlock en route to the final.

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The championship match is set for 9 am on Saturday, May 30. – Rappler.com