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Dairick Duterte is reminded that Manila teams have recognized his consistent performance throughout Calabarzon’s gold medal run in the Palarong Pambansa 2026 hoping to play in the major league.
MANILA, Philippines – Dairick Duterte became an instant favorite 2026 National Games in Agusan del Sur largely due to his familiar surname, but he ensured that at the end of the tournament, he will also be remembered for his outstanding performance.
And the 18-year-old, who said his grandfather is a cousin of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has his fingers crossed that college teams in Manila have taken notice when he hopes to play in the big leagues after leading Calabarzon in high school boys basketball. gold medal for the first time in a decade.
“I worked hard for this so that the whole country knows who I am,” said Duterte in Filipino.
Few expected Duterte and the Calabarzon side to be banned by the little-known St. John’s Wort Integrated in Antipolo City to win it all, given that the rest of the field consisted of teams with deep roots in Palaro.
Defending champion Davao Region returned with the same Ateneo de Davao foundation that led the region to the 2025 title and gave the Philippines the title at the 14th ASEAN School Games in Brunei in November.
The National Capital Region, the 2024 winner, remained a ranked team as it included a squad led by 6-foot-8 Eoin Braga and the UE Junior Red Warriors.
Central Luzon also entered as a competitor with a team represented by Bacolor High School in Pampanga, a basketball region that has produced many of the best players in the country.
But Calabarzon, even without any fanfare, surprisingly managed to win the gold medal, knocking off Davao Region in the championship game.
Through it all, Duterte was a steady force, averaging 21 points in six games.
He started Palaro with a 30-point outburst against Central Visayas, dropped 21 points against Cordillera Administrative Region, then dropped 13 points against Soccsksargen as Calabarzon went unbeaten in the preliminary round.
Duterte continued his onslaught in the playoffs, scoring 20 points in a 99-85 win over Ilocos Province in the quarterfinals and 21 points in an 83-76 win over Central Luzon in the semifinals to help send Calabarzon to the final dance.
Facing Davao Region star Rene Baterbonia – Palaro 2025 MVP – in the finals, Duterte came out on top as he won the contest with 21 points to lead Calabarzon to a 79-62 victory.
It was a performance that even the 6-foot-6 Duterte didn’t expect from him, especially against the 6-foot-4 Baterbonia, who is slated to play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the top tier of the UAAP in Season 89 later this year.
But that does not mean that Duterte lacks confidence as he bet on himself hoping to make the UAAP or NCAA.
“I don’t have a college plan yet because I wanted to make a name for myself here in the Palarong Pambansa so that schools would hire me,” said Duterte.
Duterte wants to one day reach the PBA or even the NBA, saying that dreams, after all, are futile.
And to turn that expectation into reality, Angono’s pride, Rizal, vows to never be satisfied, especially since he has received the attention he feels he deserves.
“I will work harder to make my dreams come true,” said Duterte. – Rappler.com
