CAPAS, TARLAC — Ateneo de Manila University opened its title-retention bid in the men’s division with a dominant showing, ruling three of the five events on the opening day of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Swimming Championships at the New Clark City Aquatics Center.
The 10-peat-seeking Blue Eagles stamped their class in the men’s 100-meter freestyle, sweeping the top four spots.
Super-rookie TJ Amaro led the charge with a record-breaking 51.36-second finish, erasing the decade-old UAAP mark of 51.66 set by Jessie Lacuna. Marco Daos (52.45), Ivo Enot (52.88), and Charles Ticbaen (52.98) completed the Ateneo sweep.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Enot and Daos later joined Rafael Isip and Rafael Barreto to capture gold in the men’s 200-meter medley relay, clocking 1:44.48 to reset Ateneo’s own UAAP record of 1:45.31.
University of Santo Tomas (1:45.08) and University of the Philippines (1:46.31) settled for silver and bronze, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Last season’s Rookie-MVP Miguel Barreto also made waves for the Blue Eagles, striking gold in the men’s 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:09.85. De La Salle University’s duo of Peter Dean (2:11.03) and Ted Laminta (2:12.48) rounded out the podium.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Barreto (8:41.90) added a silver medal in the men’s 800-meter freestyle, trailing behind DLSU’s Alexander Chu, who clocked 8:37.20 for the gold.
Chu, who will represent the Philippines in open water swimming at the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games, pulled away in the final laps, while Daos (8:49.28) took bronze.
Ateneo almost secured a fourth gold medal in the men’s 800-meter freestyle relay but was disqualified due to a flying start violation.
That opened the door for DLSU, which not only captured gold but also set a new UAAP record of 7:58.75. Chu earned his second gold of the day, teaming up with Dean, Bryce Barraza, and Reiniel Lagman.
UST finished close behind in 7:59.51, while UP clocked 8:15.73 for third place.
At the end of Day 1, Ateneo leads the men’s division with 104 points, followed by DLSU (73), UP (40), and UST (39).
UP SHINES WITH WOMEN’S RELAY RECORD BREAKERS
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the women’s division, University of the Philippines displayed stellar teamwork, capturing two relay golds — including a record-breaking win in the women’s 200-meter medley relay.
The quartet of Kate Dequina, Thanya Dela Cruz, Nikki Sarmiento, and Abi Perez edged out Ateneo’s long-standing mark (2:01.83) by a hair, setting a new record at 2:01.72. DLSU (2:03.87) and UST (2:08.25) completed the podium.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP also ruled the women’s 800-meter freestyle relay as Grace Ang, Juliana Villanueva, Atasha Dela Torre, and Aubrey Tom combined for a winning time of 9:14.68, ahead of DLSU (9:19.91) and Ateneo (9:30.66).
The Fighting Maroons ended the opening day on top with 102 points, staying ahead of Ateneo (74), DLSU (54), and UST (34), signaling their intent to reclaim the title they relinquished last season.
SY KEEPS ATENEO IN HUNT
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite UP’s dominance in the relays, Ateneo remained within striking distance thanks to reigning MVP Mishka Sy.
Sy (1:00.42) ruled the women’s 100-meter freestyle, besting Dela Torre (1:00.66) and DLSU’s Janelle Chua (1:01.19), before returning to the pool to clinch the women’s 200-meter individual medley in 2:24.77.
UST’s Shairinne Floriano (2:26.59) and UP’s former MVP Quendy Fernandez (2:30.26) took the silver and bronze, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Last year’s Rookie of the Year Mikaela Talosig also shone for the Lady Tankers, defending her crown in the women’s 800-meter freestyle with a wire-to-wire victory in 9:50.35, ahead of UP’s Villanueva (9:54.85) and Ateneo’s rookie Marga Amoguis (10:14.12).
