CEBU CITY — Showing grit in the knockout stages, DAVRAA marched into the latter rounds of the secondary futsal tournament of the Palarong Pambansa after edging past its elimination assignments during the weeklong meet held July 9–16 in Cebu City.

 

Competing under the banner of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Region XI), DAVRAA displayed composure and discipline inside the indoor arena of Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, where the futsal matches were staged.

In one of their crucial early assignments, DAVRAA blanked Eastern Visayas, 1-0, in the elimination round to secure advancement to the knockout phase. The narrow victory highlighted the squad’s defensive solidity and ability to capitalize on limited scoring opportunities a key trait in the fast-paced, small-sided format of futsal.

Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), another Mindanao powerhouse, also competed in the secondary division bracket. While official public summaries do not widely list a specific quarterfinal score between DAVRAA and Region XII, both regions figured prominently in the tournament structure that featured group eliminations followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship match.

Riding the momentum of its elimination success, DAVRAA advanced deep into the tournament and eventually earned a berth in the championship round. There, however, the Davao side bowed to Western Visayas in the final, 11-2, settling for the silver medal in the secondary girls’ futsal division.

Despite the lopsided result in the title match, DAVRAA’s campaign stood as one of the strongest performances from Mindanao in the 64th edition of the national games, the squad’s journey from a tight 1-0 elimination win to a finals appearance underscored its resilience and tactical discipline throughout the competition.

The futsal event, part of the broader Palarong Pambansa program organized annually by the Department of Education, gathered the best student-athletes from regional athletic associations across the country.

Secondary division teams battled through a structured format where advancement depended heavily on win-loss records and goal differentials in the elimination stage.

For DAVRAA, the silver-medal finish served as both an achievement and motivation. Their deep run not only showcased the growing strength of futsal in Region XI but also reinforced Mindanao’s competitive presence on the national stage.

As the curtains fell in Cebu City, DAVRAA emerged proud of its campaign a testament to preparation, teamwork, and the relentless drive to represent the Davao region at the highest level of scholastic sports competition.