The Davao Eagles came out flying on Day 1 of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, clinching a string of emphatic victories in baseball, basketball, and tennis in elementary and secondary divisions on Sunday, May 25.
Baseball blowouts
Davao Region hammered Mimaropa in elementary boys baseball, 9-1, at the Lubnac Vintar Sports Complex. The powerhouse squad was anchored by Maniki Central Elementary School (CES) Sped Center of Davao del Norte players, including standouts John Reycar and John Reynan Ambong, Jonathan Dagandan, and Karl Ivon Gellamaso. Reinforcements Ralf Anthony Aspilan (Andili Elementary School, Davao de Oro) and Wade Ticong (Lt. Col. Villafuerte Sr. ES, Davao City) rounded out the deep roster.
With the convincing win, Davao now shares the Group B lead with the National Capital Region (NCR), which edged Central Luzon, 6-4.
In the secondary division, Kapalong National High School-led Davao toppled Caraga, 7-3, to grab a share of the Group B lead with Calabarzon, who also posted a 7-3 win over Northern Mindanao at the Bacarra National Comprehensive High School grounds.
Basketball blitz
Over at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, the Ateneo de Davao University-powered secondary boys basketball team opened their campaign in style, defeating Western Visayas, 67-55. Coached by Jess Linus Evangelio, the team featured
Rhysus Rafael Bajenting, Rene Clert Barterbonia, Aaron Joash Bayanban, Raissen Boholano, Matt Jerrick Cayetano, Sebastian Delica, Aeron Luague, Jhon Mark Peligrino, Justin Andre Cesar Redulla, and Wess Vincent Tavita. Strengthening the lineup are Michael Brendon Biyo from the Philippine Academy of Sakya, Edvil Christian Mundas from Holy Child College of Davao, and John Mark Sanoria from the Davao del Norte Regional Sports Academy.
In elementary boys basketball, Davao overpowered Cagayan Valley, 111-71, behind a core lineup from Davao City Special School. Supporting cast came from Emar Human and Environmental College, Anthony and Mark Cavanis ES, and North Davao Colleges, Inc.
Tennis triumphs and a setback
Davao also made waves on the tennis courts, notching dominant wins in elementary singles events. The boys crushed the Bicol Region, 8-3, while the girls overwhelmed the Caraga Region, 8-1.
However, the secondary girls' team fell short against Central Visayas, absorbing a 2-8 loss.
Eyes on the prize
Medal-rich individual events are set to kick off Monday, May 26, in various venues. Davao Region will be gunning for podium finishes in athletics, swimming, pencak silat, arnis, dancesports, and more.
With a dominant opening in various sports, the Davao Eagles are soaring high with confidence as they aim to surpass last year’s fourth-place finish in Cebu City, setting their sights on cracking the top three overall at this year’s Palarong Pambansa. MLSA