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.
Powered by strong performances in swimming and athletics, the Manileño athletes surged to a slim lead in the medal tally with 29 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze medals, while Pasig and Baguio are in a dead heat with 29 gold medals each heading into Friday’s final day of competition.
Action in table tennis, soft tennis, tennis, badminton, sepak takraw, futsal, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, gymnastics, and several combat sports — including arnis, boxing, taekwondo, pencak silat, muay thai, and judo — was suspended to accommodate the closing rites, as most delegations are set to travel home Friday morning.
Team Manila capped its stellar day in the pool with Patria Mae Santor, Kristine Jane Uy, Naimo Sy, and Eliana Isabel Rodriguez taking gold in the girls’ 14–17 4x50m medley relay, clocking 2:08.86 to underscore the capital city’s dominance in swimming.
Santor collected her sixth gold medal in the meet, putting her in prime position for the Most Bemedalled Athlete award. She is tied with 16-year-old archer Abigail Lim of Davao City, but holds the edge with an additional silver medal.
“Hats off to our athletes — they gave their best. We weren’t really banking on the overall title, but we still met our targets in swimming and athletics,” said Darren Evangelista, Team Manila administrator.
A mainstay of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) grassroots program under the Ilustre East Swim Club, Santor earlier ruled the 16–17 200m butterfly, 12–17 200m individual medley, 16–17 50m butterfly, 16–17 100m butterfly, and the 4x50m freestyle relay, while settling for silver in the 16–17 200m breaststroke.
Manila competed in 15 of the 27 sports — making its run to the top even more impressive — while powerhouse teams Pasig and Baguio remain strong contenders in the combat sports.
