Davao captures historic Palaro gold in secondary boys’ basketball

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Jhonmark Peligrino and Rene Baterbonia take turns in the second half as Davao trounces Western Visayas for the 2025 Palarong Pambansa secondary boys' basketball crown

ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines – In a tournament full of surprises, Davao emerged as the new Palarong Pambansa secondary boys’ basketball king.

Represented by Ateneo de Davao, the Eagles completed a historic run as they struck gold after a 67-51 victory over Western Visayas in the finale at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City here on Friday, May 30.

Jhonmark Peligrino and Rene Baterbonia chalked up 19 points each for Davao, which broke away in the second half and weathered a stellar performance by Western Visayas ace guard Luke Rose.

“This is the first time ever that a team from Region XI won the secondary boys’ basketball championship in the Palarong Pambansa,” said Davao head coach Jess Linus Evangelio in a mix of Filipino and English.

“It means everything.”

Davao held a slim 27-24 advantage at halftime before it created separation thanks to 6-foot-3 Baterbonia, who scattered half of his output in the third quarter to help his side mount a 46-37 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Eagles pulled away for good as Peligrino fired 10 points in a 16-8 run to start the final period that opened up a commanding 62-45 cushion with under four minutes remaining.

Limited to 6 points through the first three periods, Peligrino dropped 13 points as he nearly matched Western Visayas’ scoring total in the fourth quarter.

Raissen Boholano also finished in double-figures for Davao with 11 points, while Edvil Mundas chipped in 7 points.

Davao got the job done after nearly getting the boot in the semifinals, where it stormed back from a double-digit deficit against 2024 finalist Central Luzon en route to a pulsating 66-65 win on Thursday, May 29.

The loss put to waste a 25-point explosion by Rose, who kept Western Visayas within striking distance in the first half on the back of his hot outside shooting.

Rose knocked down 4 three-pointers as part of his 16 first-half points before the Eagles’ defense keyed on him.

Michsan Rhaey Oñate backstopped Rose with 9 points, with no other Western Visayas player scoring in twin figures.

It was still a commendable campaign for Western Visayas as it dethroned National Capital Region, 76-67, in the quarterfinals then fought back from an 18-point hole in an 80-73 triumph over Calabarzon in the semifinals. – Rappler.com