AGUSAN DEL SUR — Defending champion National Capital Region (NCR) showcased its championship poise by overcoming a first-set loss and turning back the Negros Island Region (NIR), 22-25, 25-14, 25-19, 25-18, to successfully defend the secondary girls volleyball crown in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa.
Powered by the battle-tested core of the National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups, NCR recovered from an early stumble and dominated the next three sets to secure back-to-back championships in the country’s premier scholastic sporting event.
NIR, represented by Bacolod Tay Tung High School, came out strong and seized the opening set, putting the defending champions on the defensive early in the title showdown.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically when NIR star Rhose Vianne Almendralejo suffered an injury late in the first set while attempting an attack.
Almendralejo, who is set to join the NU Lady Bulldogs at the collegiate level, was given immediate medical attention before being rushed to a hospital. She did not return to the match.
Despite losing one of its top offensive weapons, NIR continued to fight and remained competitive in the succeeding sets. However, NCR’s depth, balanced offense, and disciplined defense gradually took control of the contest.
The defending champions dominated the second set to level the match before carrying their momentum into the third and fourth frames, where they methodically pulled away to complete the comeback victory.
The triumph marked NCR’s second straight Palarong Pambansa championship after also defeating Bacolod Tay Tung High School, then representing Western Visayas, in last year’s finals in Ilocos Norte.
The latest title further strengthened NCR’s grip on the secondary girls volleyball division and underscored the continued dominance of its volleyball development program.
For NIR, the silver-medal finish capped an impressive campaign despite the unfortunate injury to Almendralejo, whose absence proved difficult to overcome against the reigning champions./PN
