By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — A social media page has appealed to the public to stop politicizing and mocking young basketball players after Davao Region’s decisive victory over Ilocos Region in the secondary boys basketball competition of the Palarong Pambansa 2026.
In a post titled “Urgent Appeal to End the Politicization and Cyberbullying: On the DAVRAA and Region 1 Basketball Game in Palarong Pambansa 2026,”the page Bagat Notes condemned online harassment and political trolling targeting the Davao Regional Athletics Association (DAVRAA) and Region 1 Athletic Association basketball teams.
The appeal followed DAVRAA’s blowout win, which prompted social media users to post politically charged reactions. Some netizens used the scoreline to draw parallels between former President Rodrigo Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., framing the game as a symbolic contest between their respective regions. Bagat Notes emphasized that the student-athletes had no involvement in national political rivalries and should not be subjected to partisan trolling.
“It is deeply unfair that the hard work, dedication, and athletic achievements of these young basketball players are being hijacked by toxic political narratives,” the page said.
Bagat Notes however noted that while some memes were removed, politically loaded comments remained under videos of the game. “The comment sections of some video coverages had become ‘low,’” he said, expressing concern over the effect of online harassment on minors.
The basketball game had been posted by GMA Sports on its social media page, where it quickly drew strong reactions from viewers. Many of the comments politicized the outcome, jokingly comparing the game to national elections and regional rivalries.
The comments on the GMA Sports post largely politicized the blowout, with some users drawing parallels between Davao Region’s basketball win and political figures, framing it as “Duterte (Davao) defeating Marcos (Ilocos).”
Others emphasized sportsmanship and urged viewers to be fair, while several comments jokingly tied the game to election outcomes, budget concerns, or regional rivalry.
A few commenters expressed excitement, disbelief, or humor over the lopsided score, often mocking the losing team, while others noted the game should remain a sports event rather than a political metaphor. Overall, the conversation mixed political references, humor, and commentary on the athletes’ performance, often straying from purely sports-focused discussion.
Others urged viewers to focus on sportsmanship or expressed disbelief and humor over the lopsided score. Overall, the conversation combined political references, humor, and commentary on the athletes’ performance, often straying from purely sports-focused discussion.
While dominant wins and blowout losses are part of competitive sports, Bagat Notes reminded the public that the players represent their schools and regions, not political factions.
“Our youth are in Palaro Tu AgSur 2026 to play, represent their regions, and unite through sports. Keep politics out of Palarong Pambansa,” the post said.
The Palarong Pambansa is the country’s largest annual sports competition for student-athletes, bringing together delegations nationwide to promote athletic excellence, discipline, and camaraderie.
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