Dairick Duterte proves his play — not just his name — deserves attention

MANILA, Philippines – Dairick Duterte became an instant crowd favorite in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur largely owing to his familiar surname, but he made sure that at the end of the tournament, he will also be remembered for his stellar play.

And the 18-year-old, who said his grandfather is a cousin of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has his fingers crossed that collegiate teams in Manila have taken notice as he hopes to make the big leagues after leading Calabarzon to the secondary boys’ basketball gold medal for the first time in a decade. 

“I worked very hard for this so that the entire country would know who I am,” said Duterte in Filipino. 

Few expected Duterte and the Calabarzon side bannered by little-known St. John’s Wort Integrated School in Antipolo City to win it all, given that the rest of the field included teams with deep Palaro roots.

Defending champion Davao Region returned with the same Ateneo de Davao core that led the region to the 2025 crown and powered the Philippines to the title in the 14th ASEAN School Games in Brunei in November. 

National Capital Region, the 2024 winner, remained a force to be reckoned with as it featured a squad led by promising 6-foot-8 big man Eoin Braga and the UE Junior Red Warriors. 

Central Luzon also came in as a contender with a crew represented by Bacolor High School in Pampanga, a basketball hotbed that has produced many of the best players in the country.

But Calabarzon, even with hardly any fanfare, surprisingly swept its way to the gold medal, dethroning Davao Region in the championship game.

Through it all, Duterte was a steady force, putting up an average of 21 points in six games.

He started the Palaro with a 30-point explosion against Central Visayas, dropped 21 points against Cordillera Administrative Region, then chipped in 13 points against Soccsksargen as Calabarzon went unbeaten in the preliminary stage. 

Duterte continued his offensive onslaught in the knockout rounds, putting up 20 points in a 99-85 win over Ilocos Region in the quarterfinals and 21 points in an 83-76 victory over Central Luzon in the semifinals to help send Calabarzon to the last dance.

Pitted against Davao Region star big man Rene Baterbonia — the 2025 Palaro MVP — in the final, Duterte more than held his own as he won the matchup with another 21-point outing that propelled Calabarzon to a come-from-behind 79-62 win.

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It was a performance not even the 6-foot Duterte expected from himself, especially against the fancied 6-foot-4 Baterbonia, who is set to play for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP senior ranks in Season 89 later this year. 

But that does not mean Duterte lacks confidence as he bet on himself with the hopes of making the UAAP or the NCAA.

“I have no plans for college yet because I wanted to make a name for myself here in the Palarong Pambansa so that schools would recruit me,” said Duterte.

Duterte seeks to someday reach the PBA or even the NBA, saying that dreams, after all, are free.

And to turn those aspirations to reality, the pride of Angono, Rizal, vows to never grow complacent, especially now that he has gotten the attention he feels he deserves.

“I’ll work even harder to accomplish my dreams,” said Duterte. – Rappler.com