Central Visayas Athletes to Refocus Efforts for 2025 National Games After Fifth Place Finish at Palaro

CEBU CITY — Following a fifth-place finish at the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa, Central Visayas athletes are gearing up to enhance their performance for the upcoming 2025 national games, aiming to build on their current achievements.

According to Philippines News Agency, chair of the Cebu City Sports Commission, although the athletes’ performance at the national meet was commendable, it was slightly disappointing. The region won a total of 110 medals—29 gold, 42 silver, and 39 bronze—surpassing their 2023 medal tally. Pages highlighted a particular focus on improving in ball games such as volleyball, football, futsal, and basketball for future competitions. Despite having home court advantage, Pages noted that it did not significantly benefit their performance as hoped.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas commended the city’s hosting of the Palaro, stating it exceeded expectations. Bringas praised the attention given to athletes’ health, highlighting the effective response of medical teams during the event. He also acknowledged the significant involvement of the private sector in Cebu City, which provided venues and support, enhancing the overall execution of the games.

However, the Palaro also highlighted areas for improvement, including inadequate water and toilet facilities and issues with the track oval measurements at the Cebu Sports Center. Acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros mentioned that the contractor responsible for the track oval would be scrutinized to address these discrepancies.