Jared Bahay, Central Visayas dethrone NCR to claim Palarong Pambansa basketball gold

Jared Bahay of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu powered Central Visayas past National Capital Region, 77-73, to claim the basketball gold medal on Saturday in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa held in Marikina.

NCR, represented by National University-Nazareth School held the lead, 62-53, at the end of three quarters before Central Visayas limited the longtime champs to just 11 points in the final frame against their 24-point romp to take the title.

Bahay, who is expected to suit up for the University of the Philippines come UAAP Season 87, paced Central Visayas with 29 points to be named the Most Valuable Player.

This is the first time in ten years that Region VII won the national tournament.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News