IBA, Zambales — Local players made Zambales proud at the just-concluded 66^th Palarong Pambansa held in Agusan del Sur when they brought home several medals from various competitions played under the banner of the Central Luzon Patriots.

The biggest victory was from Prince Billy Ecalnir from Masinloc town, who not only won the Gold Medal in Athletics Secondary Boys-Shotput, but also set a new Palarong Pambansa record in said competition.

Ecalnir, an Eighth-Grade student at the Sto. Rosario Integrated School in Masinloc, pushed the 6kg. metal ball with explosive power and propelled it to a distance of 16.15 meters.

Another Zambales athlete won the Gold Medal at the 2026 Palarong Pambansa. This was Prince Shael Cabada from San Felipe, who topped the 4×100-meter Freestyle Relay in Swimming Boys with partner Elijah Fallet from Olongapo City.

In Swimming Girls, two other locals brought home Bronze Medals for Team Zambales: Precious Chans H. Rantael from Botolan, and Kaycee Rayne F. Ragadio of Castillejos, who shone in the 4×50 Medley Relay.

Meanwhile, John Philip Jangao from Subic town copped the Bronze Medal in Pencak Silat-Tanding Category A (Over 42kg-45kg) despite his being a first-timer in the national stage.

Team Zambales’s triumphant run in the 2026 Palaro was sealed by a Silver Medal win by the Zambales Elementary Baseball Team, which was composed of players from San Antonio and Masinloc.

BASEBALL AND BASKETBALL

In another sports front, the Team Zambales Diamond Dreamers from San Antonio emerged as Champions in the 12-Under Category of this year’s Babe Ruth League Philippines National Baseball Tournament held on May 1 to 10 at the Village Sports Complex in Clark, Pampanga.

The team will represent the Philippines in the forthcoming World Championship to be held in the United States.

The Diamond Dreamer’s 14-Under team, meanwhile, ran away with the Silver Medal in the same competition.

In basketball, meanwhile, the San Narciso 15-Under Division ended up as Second Runner-up in the National Basketball League Philippines, Inc.’s Kabataan Season 5 National Finals held on May 16 to 22 at the Laguna Sports Complex.

Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., who has given the provincial government’s full support to local athletes, also expressed his pride and appreciation of the winners, especially to the 98 Zambaleño athletes who participated in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa. – Taktikom News & Features