LAOAG CITY – The National Capital Region (NCR) emerged as overall champion for the 18th straight edition of the Palarong Pambansa here, closing the weeklong event with an impressive haul of 117 gold, 70 silver and 50 bronze medals.

The NCR's gold medal haul included 36 in gymnastics and 19 in swimming, courtesy of Titus Rafael Sia and Sophia Rose Garra, who won seven each in the elementary division, and Patricia Mae Santor, who had five in the secondary division.

Calabarzon placed second overall with 47 golds, highlighted by strong showings in chess (12 golds) and swimming (11), along with 68 silvers and 66 bronzes.

Western Visayas secured third place with 44 golds, bolstered by championships in the elementary girls' softball and secondary boys' baseball.

Davao Region took fourth with 43 golds, excelling in dancesport (14 golds) and winning titles in elementary boys' football and volleyball, and secondary boys' 5x5 basketball.

Northern Mindanao rounded out the top five with 31 golds, including nine in arnis.

Completing the top 10 were Central Luzon (29-25-36), Central Visayas (25-32-52), Caraga (21-20-43), Cordillera Region (17-13-11), and Eastern Visayas (16-17-21), which clinched the tournament’s first gold, courtesy of Chrisia Mae Tajerros in the secondary girls’ 3,000m run.

The rest of the rankings are Soccsksargen (15-25-36), Ilocos Region (13-16-27), Bicol Region (6-9-31), National Sports Academy (6-2-6), Cagayan Valley (4-11-18), Mimaropa (4-6-5), Zamboanga Peninsula (3-17-14), and Bangsamoro Region (2-3-5). (PNA)