CAPAS, TARLAC – It’s not every day that a UAAP swimmer breaks not only a league record but also a national record — and to do it in your first year, in three different events, makes for a debut to remember.
Thanya Dela Cruz’s rookie season in the UAAP was nothing short of spectacular. She helped Ateneo de Manila University keep pace with the likes of De La Salle University, which boasts national team standouts Chloe Isleta and Xiandi Chua, and the University of the Philippines, home to fellow rookie Camille Buico.
It was no surprise, then, that she became one of the swimmers to watch in her second year, Season 86.
Only, when competition began at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Complex in Manila, Dela Cruz was nowhere to be seen competing for the Blue and White.
“I took an LOA during my time with Ateneo, kasi I wanted to focus on swimming, like going pro, kasi during that time, I think it was an Olympic year. I think I just need to grab the opportunity lang kasi once in a lifetime experiences ‘yung mga ando’n, ‘yung events during those years,” recalled the 2019 Southeast Asian Games squad member.
“So, I said I’ll focus on it, and so as not to affect my academics, I went for it na lang.”
When those plans didn’t fully materialize, Dela Cruz decided to return to school — but that meant taking a U-turn, both figuratively and literally, as she found a new home on the other side of Katipunan Avenue.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“After that, I can’t go back to Ateneo anymore, so I transferred to UP. Well, apparently, this team, UP, accepted me wholeheartedly, to which I’m really grateful. I took a year of residency, which was last year,” she shared.
“Last year wasn’t the best year for me in swimming, technically. Nagpahinga lang last year ng kaunti, and now I’m slowly coming back,” Dela Cruz continued.
Now donning the maroon suit, the 23-year-old is just happy to be back in the UAAP, competing at the New Clark City Aquatics Center here.
“I’m just happy to be here, and I’m happy to be back, even on the other side,” said the Sports Science sophomore.
“It’s hype now because compared to my rookie year, which is more on the serious side, because it was my first time, so for me, I just thought, ‘I need to perform.’ But now na medyo nag-mature na ko ngayon, I think I understand the essence of competing. So, ang sabi ko I wanted to enjoy things like this and now, it’s a mix of just enjoying and wanting to win for the team,” Dela Cruz added.
The UP Fighting Maroons are leading the women’s championship race halfway through the competition, and Dela Cruz takes pride in contributing to the team’s surge.
Announcing her return, she helped the Fighting Maroons draw first blood on opening day, Thursday. She won the 200-meter medley relay gold while setting a new meet record of 2:01.72 alongside teammates Kate Dequina, Nikki Sarmiento, and Abi Perez.
Dela Cruz then claimed the 50-meter breaststroke gold on Friday with a time of 32.65 seconds — far from her Philippine national record of 31.11. But for her, it was still a performance to be proud of.
She reclaimed the title she missed defending the past two seasons due to her LOA and residency.
“I think I’m doing well with contributing naman, and I guess I’m good with that. Kahit na hindi gano’n ka-OK ‘yung performance, as long as I’m giving back to the team, I think it’s good,” she said.
Dela Cruz has yet to experience a UAAP championship, but if things go as planned this time, she may finally get one — this time with her new team, her new family.
