BACOLOD City — Western Visayas completed a stirring redemption campaign in the 2026 National PRISAA Games after toppling defending tormentor Soccsksargen, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-12, to seize the women’s volleyball championship at the University of St. La Salle gym here.
Fueled by revenge and resilience, the Western Visayas squad overcame injuries and pressure-packed moments before pulling away in dominant fashion in the fourth set to finally avenge last year’s heartbreaking title defeat to the same opponent.
Tournament Most Valuable Player Rica Gale Silvestre said the triumph carried deeper meaning because of the hardships the team endured throughout the campaign.
“Overwhelming po and blessed din po kami sa lahat ng pinagdaanan namin na struggles na may na-injury pa,” Silvestre said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas 2.
“Inisip po namin kung ano ang mga pinaghirapan namin, ang mga sacrifices. Iyan po yung naging daan namin para maging strong pa kami,” she added.
Western Visayas leaned on the combined firepower and composure of Silvestre, Pamela Gavilaga, and Yssa Maxine Jaruda to outlast Soccsksargen in a tightly contested four-set battle before unleashing a commanding finishing run in the fourth frame.
Gavilaga and Jaruda, both former standouts of the University of San Agustin, represented the region through Central Philippine University.
Apart from ruling the volleyball event, Western Visayas also stamped its class in athletics behind the dominant performance of Kent Paul Burdan.
The Central Philippine University speedster emerged as the men’s senior Most Valuable Player after capturing five gold medals in the tournament.
Burdan ruled the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter events before anchoring the victorious 4×100-meter and 4×400-meter relay teams.
The 2026 National PRISAA Games formally concluded with the ceremonial turnover of the PRISAA flag from Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio “Bong” Lacson to Zamboanga City officials led by Councilor El King Omaga, representing Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso, during the closing rites at the STI West Negros University gym./PN
