Santo Tomas Mavericks Claim Victory at 2026 Davao del Norte Division Meet
The Santo Tomas Mavericks athletes made a grand entrance during the saludo parade at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex, marking the opening of the 2026 Davao del Norte Division Meet. This prestigious event served as a crucial qualifier for the 2026 Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet, scheduled from February 22 to 28. The Mavericks demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, ultimately securing the overall championship in the division meet.
Davraa Meet Set to Host Over 9,000 Delegates
The 2026 Davraa Meet is poised to be a massive gathering, with a total of 9,108 delegates expected to participate. This includes 5,963 athletes, 1,108 coaches, 235 female athlete chaperones, and 1,802 officials and committee members. The opening ceremony is set for 4 p.m. on February 22 at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. Competitions will run from February 23 to 28 across 13 schools in Tagum City, with the Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) overseeing the event, hosted by Davao del Norte and co-hosted by Tagum City.
New Sports Events and Regional Ambitions
Jenielito Atillo, DepEd-Davao spokesperson, announced that the region aims for a stronger performance this year, building on past successes. During a forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on February 18, Atillo explained that the increased number of delegates is due to the addition of new sports events. The 2026 Davraa Meet will feature 24 regular sports and four para games, with three new additions: weightlifting in the regular division, girls' football at the secondary level, and elementary futsal. Weightlifting will see competition from seven divisions: Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Digos City, Igacos, Mati City, and Tagum City.
Atillo clarified that medals from these new events are not yet included in the official medal tally, as DepEd-Davao awaits approval from the DepEd Central Office and the Palarong Pambansa committee. Despite this, he expressed confidence in the region's ability to improve its overall standing, citing a steady rise in previous meetings. "In prior years, our delegation initially targeted sixth place but finished fourth and was recognized as one of the strongest in Mindanao. Last year, we nearly reached second place," Atillo stated.
Building on Past Achievements and Future Goals
Reflecting on recent accomplishments, Atillo highlighted that Davao Region placed fourth overall in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa held in Ilocos Norte. He emphasized the determination of athletes and coaches to maintain this momentum. "We need a very good performance this year to reach our target. The team is committed to continuing the region's progress in sports development," he added. The success of the Santo Tomas Mavericks at the division meet sets a positive tone for the upcoming Davraa Meet, showcasing the region's growing prowess in athletic competitions.
