Not only did the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles survive the longest and most gruesome day of the 80th UAAP Swimming Championships, but they also managed to stretch their lead to 29 points amidst a furious rally by the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons.
The squads from Katipunan again swept all six gold medals at stake for the day, with the Lady Eagles taking four and the Lady Maroons bringing home the other two. Ateneo also added four silver medals against UP’s solo silver medal and four bronze medals. The De La Salle University managed to nab a silver medal and a bronze medal, while the National University took home a bronze medal.
Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player frontrunner Chloe Daos of Ateneo added another two gold medals to hike her tally to five gold medals and one silver medal, for a running total of 87 points. Daos ruled the 200m Freestyle in 2:10.63 ahead of teammate Andrea Ngui, who finished in 2:12.03, and Jaja Cordero of UP, who clocked 2:14.20. The same three swimmers ended in the same order for the 50m Butterfly with Daos’ 29.84, Ngui’s 30.07, and Cordero’s 30.08.
Ateneo’s other rookie Courtney Gray collected her second gold medal in the 100m Backstroke by registering a time of 1:07.52 to narrowly beat teammate Ariana Herranz (1:08.07). DLSU’s Dara Evangelista took the bronze in 1:10.14.
The Lady Eagles also dominated the 4×50 Freestyle Relay, with the team of Hannah Castañeda, Shayn Ting, Alliah Tan and Ngui touching at 1:56.00, besting DLSU (1:56.52) who took the silver medal, and UP (1:57.48) who took the bronze medal.
On the other hand, the Lady Maroons took the gold in the 400m Individual Medley courtesy of the super senior Cordero, who managed a time of 5:20.52 in front of Ateneo’s Romina Gavino (5:22.56) and UP’s Pricila Aquino (5:27.56).
The Lady Maroons also spearheaded the 100m Breaststroke, where Joy Rodgers (1:18.12) and Aquino (1:20.59) made a 1-2 finis. NU’s Nichole Evangelista (1:20.76) spoiled UP’s attempt at sweeping the podium.
Cordero trails Daos in the race for the MVP award with her 67 points, while Gray also trails Daos in the ROY award with her 58 points.
Heading into the final day of action, the Lady Eagles are not in the clear yet, as they expect the Lady Maroons to fight for the championship till the last event.
UAAP Season 80 Women’s Swimming tally after Day 3
ADMU – 362
UP – 333
UST – 89
DLSU – 59
NU – 26
On Deck
50m Backstroke
200m Breaststroke
200m Butterfly
50m Freestyle
4x100m Medley Relay
