De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) athletes secured 14 gold medals at the 2025 National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) games held from April 3 to 11 in Tuguegarao City, contributing to Region IV-A’s overall third-place finish.

A total of 68 Patriots represented the region across various sports under the league’s theme, “Sustaining the Country’s Inclusive Grassroots Sports Program as a Pathway to the Olympics.” The delegation played a key role in CALABARZON’s overall medal haul of 74 golds, 56 silvers, and 55 bronzes.

Leading the charge were the swimming and women’s basketball teams, adding to the bulk of DLSU-D’s gold medal tally.

The women’s basketball team, the Lady Patriots, spearheaded the success with a 64–55 victory against Region VI, showcasing both their teamwork and standout individual performances. Jay-Vee Gravador was hailed as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Power Forward, while Ma. Eula Atienza was awarded Best Point Guard. Their coach, Mr. Andres Canlas, earned the Best Coach recognition.

In swimming, Alarie Somuelo dominated the lanes with five golds in the 200m, 50m, and the 100m freestyle, along with the 200m, 400m freestyle relays, and a silver in the 100m butterfly. Meanwhile, Gabriel Sapinit’s versatility brought four golds in both individual and relay events, specifically golds in 200m breaststroke, 400m freestyle relay, 400m individual medley (IM), 800m freestyle, and a silver in 100m breaststroke. 

Sealing supremacy with precision

DLSU-D’s swimming dominance extended beyond its headline performers as supporting tankers added crucial podium finishes. Francheska Ysabell Alterado claimed double gold in the 200m butterfly and 200m freestyle relay, complementing her silver in the grueling 400m IM. Aisha Francine Munda followed suit with a 100m butterfly while adding two silvers in 200m butterfly and 100m backstroke, and a bronze in 200m medley relay.

The Patriots’ skills also shone through Allyza Marie T. Palermo’s four-medal haul, including a gold in the 200m freestyle relay, and three backstroke bronzes in the 50m, 200m, and 200m medley relay categories. Samantha Mae B. Paredes also contributed crucial podium finishes in the 200m medley relay and 200m backstroke events.

Success extended beyond the pool as Joanna Melisa Bansag sprinted her way to a three-peat championship title in the 4x100m relay, upholding DLSU-D’s track and field legacy. Bansag’s silver medal in the 100m dash further underscored the University’s sprinting legacy, marking her as one of PRISAA’s most consistent track athletes over three consecutive national tournaments.

A battle of wits

Brewing strategies, the DLSU-D Woodpushers proved impressive as they took on the quest, garnering a total of four medals in a chess showdown. 

Patriots Jerome Aragones and Jerico Santiaguel, with their fellow players from Region IV-A, started strong as they took the 3rd rank in the men’s team event halfway through the tourney. 

The region aimed to reclaim the championship after its 2024 PRISAA run but fell short to Region VII by 0.5 points, settling for silver. This year, Aragones and Santiaguel added bronze medals in individual events.

In the women’s team category, Lady Woodpushers Jacelle Masangkay and Gwyneth Perez put up a good fight for their rank, bagging the bronze medal.

A smash stroke forward

Continuing their showcase of prowess from PRISAA Regionals, DLSU-D paddlers exhibited graceful shots and footwork that brought home three medals for table tennis. 

Representing Region IV-A and hailed as doubles duo champions from last year’s competition, Jedidiah Sicapore and Calea Perdilla fell short of achieving gold, clutching silver in a tight match against Region VII for the women’s team event finals. 

Meanwhile, men’s team paddlers Justin Loyola, Celso Calderon, and Renniel Badillo earned their spot on the podium for bronze, with Loyola succeeding in grabbing bronze in the men’s singles category.

Resolute paddler Reniel Badillo stated, “Alam namin na magagaling kaming players. CALABARZON, isa sa mga best regions sa larangan ng sports, so may pride din kaming hawak na kailangan magka-medals para ma-sustain namin ‘yung image namin as [a] CALABARZON [representative].” 

Quick on the draw

With an explosion of powerful rallies and swift drops, the DLSU-D smashers also showed control on the badminton court as Patriot John Oliveros clinched bronze for the men’s team tie event.

Moreover, for the Lady Patriots, Heather Queddeng, Arianne Quiambao, and Chloe Ramos held their ground throughout the matches for the women’s team tie event, but ended sooner than expected in the elimination round.

Aiming for glory with determination

Starting strong, Patriot Kobe Castor, the lone representative of Region IV-A, took the challenge in Billiards for the 9-ball category and reached the quarter-finals but narrowly missed climbing to the semi-finals. 

One highlight of his run was a stylish shot where he launched the cue ball into a jump, clearing the remaining balls and scoring the point.

Meanwhile, athletes in taekwondo, beach volleyball, and lawn tennis events fell short of podium finishes. 

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The DLSU-D Patriots now set their sights to the National PRISAA 2026 to be held in Negros Occidental

Originally published in Heraldo Filipino Volume 39, Issue 2