NAGA CITY ? National Capital Region emerged athletics champion as expected and kept their hold of the overall lead in the Prisaa National Games at the Metro Naga Sports Complex here Friday.

NCR harvested 20 gold, 13 silver and 21 bronze medals in athletics followed by Ilocos Region (17-16-5) and Central Visayas (17-5-11).

Overall, Metro Manila athletes boosted their leading gold-silver-bronze total to 76-36-33. Region 6 remained in second (53-24-42), while Region 1 climbed to third (18-18-11).

Benjamin Tolentino of NCR won male MVP honors in athletics with three golds and one in the relay while Blessie Mae Sanchez of Region 1 was female MVP with three golds, two of them in the relays.

NCR also held sway in badminton with Heidenberg Dimarucot winning the men?s singles before powering the men?s team to victory. Western Visayas ruled the ladies singles courtesy of Rosalie Soberano, as well as the team championship.