BANTAY, Ilocos Sur -- Looks like National Capital Region is on track to reign supreme for the 14th straight year in the Palarong Pambansa.
As of posting time, NCR has amassed a 91-64-47 gold-silver-bronze tally on the penultimate day of the 2018 version of the annual sporting event among 17 regions in the country.
Running second is Calabarzon, which has collected 52 gold mints to go with 43 silver and 63 bronze medals. Western Visayas is currently in third with a 40-41-48 haul.
One of the Stalwarts' gold medal was from the secondary girls volleyball team, which survived Calabarzon in a classic match that went the distance at the Sto. Domingo Municipal Gym.
NCR exacted revenge on its fierce rivals, coming away with a 12-25, 25-12, 25-18, 17-25, 15-12 victory in the finals on Friday to rule the tournament.
"I'm super proud. You can see our team work throughout the game," said Angel Canino, the Palarong Pambansa greenhorn who was hailed Most Valuable Player.
Western Visayas settled for silver in the contest. Meanwhile, Calabarzon emerged victorious in the elementary boys and girls, and secondary boys division of the tournament.
Over at the Quirino Stadium, NCR nipped Soccsksargen, 1-0 to top the secondary boys football.
In taekwondo, NCR bagged four golds, two silvers, and a bronze in the secondary boys and copped a pair of gold and bronze mints in the level's girls category.
The Stalwarts also scored a triple gold in tennis.
But Calabarzon bet Jessel Lumapas shared the spotlight with the dominating NCR.
Lumapas was hailed Most Outstanding Athlete of the Vigan spectacle after winning four gold medals in athletics' 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter runs, as well as the 4x400 relay.
She gunned for a fifth gold but her team settled for silver in the 4x100 relay late Friday.
"It's okay. I'll just continue to train especially with the upcoming National Open drawing near," Lumapas said in Filipino.
Meanwhile, Tara Borlain shifted into high gear in the final 200 meters of the 800-meter dash to nab the gold medal.
Borlain clocked 2:19.78, narrowly besting Bicol's gem Lheslie De Lima (2:19.92) and Ma. Isabel Oqueriza of Western Visayas (2:22.15).
In the 4x100-meter relay secondary girls, Eastern Visayas' foursome of Catherine Manese, Decerie Niala, Lenlyn Sanita, and Bianca Jane Combate took home the gold with a time of 47.3 seconds.
They spoiled what could have been Lumapas' fifth gold in five events.
Meanwhile, NCR and Davao region will square off in the secondary boys finals on Saturday morning at the San Juan Municipal Gym.