SIARGAO -- Ana Mae Alipayo was born into a legacy, but she chose to carve her own path, one wave at a time.

Gen. Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao receives the plaque of appreciation for the successful hosting of Batang Pinoy from PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio and Commissioner Bong Coo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The 2025 Batang Pinoy National Championships here is set to conclude dramatically, with defending champion Pasig City and the City of Manila locked in a tight race for the overall crown, with Baguio City a long shot.

As of 7 p.m. on Friday, Pasig held a slim lead with 38 gold, 25 silver, and 29 bronze medals in the partial and unofficial tally, while the capital city followed closely with 36 gold, 31 silver, and 25 bronze—for a total of 92 medals each.

Baguio trailed by 18 medals in the overall count with 29 gold, 21 silver, and 24 bronze (74 total), with final results in several sports still unaccounted, with the PSC continuing to verify and tabulate the official results. 

Fourth-placer Quezon City tallied 22 gold, 22 silver, and 26 bronze medals (70 total), while Santa Rosa City, Laguna, placed fifth with 21 gold, 18 silver, and 18 bronze (57 total).

PSC Chairman Patrick 'Pato' Gregorio reiterated that the champion LGU will receive P5 million to sustain the sports program, while the runner-up will receive P4 million and the third placer will receive P3 million, and the fourth and fifth placers will receive P2 million and P1 million, respectively.

Gregorio also announced that the City of Bacolod will host the Games next year.

On the final day of competition organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Davao City stunned Negros Occidental in the futsal boys’ 17U championship match at Mindanao Polytechnic College, 2–1.

Liam Hope Lumapas and Lleomer Polo each scored a goal in quick succession in the 19th minute of the second half to snatch the trophy for Davao City.

Zamboanga City chess prodigy IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca dominated the boys’ category held at Robinsons GenSan, bagging five gold, two silver, and one bronze medal.

Among the gold medals he won were the boys’ 960 rapid, standard, 960 blitz, ASEAN Rapid 16AC, and ASEAN Blitz categories.

By Edwin Rollon

GEN. SANTOS CITY — A thrilling photo finish looms in the race for the overall championship of the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Finals, with Team Manila, Baguio, and reigning titlist Pasig City locked in a tight battle as final results in several sports were put on hold to make way for Thursday’s closing ceremony at the Acharon Sports Complex here.

A fine form in gymnastics competition. Photo: PSC

By Edwin Rollon

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — On a day marked by an erratum in Team Baguio’s medal tally and a controversial disqualification of a local swimming star, Team Pasig quietly made its move and claimed the top spot at the close of Day 4 of the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Finals here on Wednesday.

Jephtha Caleb Fernandez of Baguio City checks his scores. Photo PSC/Mike Taboy

By Edwin Rollon

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Team Baguio’s archers hit the bullseye, capturing 10 gold medals — including a rare triple from 12-year-old Jianna Rae Delos Reyes — as the City of Pines surged to the top of the leaderboard, overtaking overnight leader Team Manila in Day 3 of the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Finals here on Tuesday.

Rapha in action.

By Edwin Rollon

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Team Manila surged to the top of the leaderboard on Monday as four more swimming records fell and a young karate standout emerged in the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Finals here.