VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR - Despite the two gold medals from boxing and tennis, Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa), still slumped to ninth place overall from seventh last year as it collected a total of 12 golds, 27 silvers and 28 bronzes.
The recent medal haul was 10-gold shy of last year's total of 22 golds, 25 silvers and 24 bronzes in Antique.
Perennial champion National Capital Region (NCR) defended its overall crown anew with 100 golds, 70 silvers and 50 bronzes followed by Calabarzon Region (55-50-73), Western Visayas (46-45-55), Central Visayas (26-25-36) and Cordillera Administrative Region (25-22-23), among 17 regions competing.
Department of Education (DepEd)-Davao spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said, "We have performed our tasks well and finished the race and by God's grace we will bounce back next year. We thank God for a challenging and wonderful experience."
Davao City will host the Palarong Pambansa 2019.
He also said that it is fitting to commend the hard work of every Davao Eagle athlete, coach, chaperone, LGU and provincial official including parents of athletes and media who are instrumental to Davraa's participation in the Palarong Pambansa 2018.
Gold at last
Christian Betonio prevented a gold medal shutout for the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) boxing team as he crowned himself school boys flyweight division champion at the close of the Palarong Pambansa 2018 boxing competition at the Plaza Burgos here Friday evening.
The Davraa boxing team also clinched three silvers and one bronze.
Betonio, 16, raised by his widow mother Ana Fe, defeated Johifer Gaki via unanimous decision in their school boys flyweight titular showdown. The Davraa pug just competed in his third Palaro.
"Karon lang ko naka-gold! Proud kaayo ko sa akong sarili. Pasalamat ko sa Ginoo kay nakuha nako ang gold (I just won a gold now. I am so proud of myself. I am thankful to God I clinched a gold)," the Grade 10 student of Panabo National High School said.
A product of Barangay Una Boxing Team of Representative Tonyboy Floirendo, he said that he was empty-handed in the past two Palaro editions. Thus, winning a medal, a gold at that, was worth the wait.
Betonio outclassed CAR boxer Johifer Gaki via unanimous decision.
Davraa coach Rolando Oring, in a separate interview, said, "Kung i-assess 200 boxers we are the first runner-up overall, okay pa rin ang performance namin."
Davraa's Lester John Yanis lost to J. Acaylar of Northern Mindanao (NMRAA) in unanimous decision (school boys pinweight) while Jerald Fabricante bowed to Wesly Caga of NMRAA, 1-4, in youth boys lightweight finals and Kim Delmar Macaangga also succumbed to BR Naelgas of Mimaropa Region (youth boys light welterweight).
John Michael Diocares, who lost in the semifinals, got a bronze.
Yanis, for his part, said: "Pasalamat ko, nalipay ko naabot kog finals. Naa paman next year pud (I'm thankful and I am happy I made it to the finals. I can still compete next year)."
Champion pair
Meanwhile, the tandem of Rey Anthony Byrd of Davao City and Jude Michael Padao of Digos City delivered a gold for Davraa in elementary boys doubles tennis event.
The Davraa pair bested NCRAA's John Michael Belo and Sherwin Ray Nuguit, 8-7 (8-6) in the finals match.
Zamboanga Peninsula and Caraga regions salvaged bronzes.
Coach Jimmy Rivera said the titular showdown was a see-saw affair, "Nagpulihanay ra sa pag-lead (Both teams figured in a series of lead changes)."
In badminton, Davraa's Joshua Alquizar and Andre Alexis Macalalag succumbed to Central Luzon's Mark Anthony Bernal and Ysabelle Regine Lois Carlos in elementary girls mixed doubles finals.