CAPAS, TARLAC — University of the Philippines continued to rely on strong performances from its key swimmers, collecting three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals to extend its lead in the women’s division of the UAAP Season 88 Swimming Championships after Day 2 at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre.
Leading the charge for the Fighting Maroons was Southeast Asian Games veteran and national record holder Thanya Dela Cruz. She dominated the women’s 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 32.65 seconds, ahead of rookie teammate CY Delos Santos (33.61) and Shairinne Floriano (34.02) of University of Santo Tomas.
Interestingly, Dela Cruz also won the same event back in Season 85 — then representing defending champion Ateneo de Manila University — when she set both the standing UAAP and national records. This time, she’s helping UP reclaim the title following her surprising transfer.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Another UP standout, Season 86 Rookie of the Year Quendy Fernandez, ruled the women’s 200-meter backstroke with a near-record time of 2:18.84, narrowly missing the UAAP mark of 2:18.40.
Fernandez displayed her readiness to take on bigger challenges as she prepares for her senior debut with the national team at the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games. She comfortably outpaced Ateneo’s reigning MVP Mishka Sy (2:24.21) and UST rookie Isha Villa (2:32.57).
The title-hungry Maroons also showcased their depth in the women’s 400-meter freestyle relay, where Atasha Dela Torre, Colette Adanza, Delos Santos, and Camille Buico clocked in at 4:06.78, keeping De La Salle University (4:09.89) and Ateneo (4:17.57) at bay for most of the race.
At the halfway point of this tournament backed by CF Moto, Masiv Sports, and Nike Swim, UP leads the women’s team standings with 213 points, while Ateneo trails with 129, and De La Salle stays close behind with 114.
UST remains further back with 85 points.
Sy Continues Dominance for Ateneo
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Sy continued to carry Ateneo with her third individual gold medal, ruling the women’s 400-meter freestyle in 4:37.90 after overtaking last season’s Rookie of the Year Mikaela Talosig (4:43.08) of DLSU in the final quarter of the race.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The day’s only other gold medal went to UST’s Shairinne Floriano, who topped the women’s 100-meter butterfly in 1:03.56. DLSU’s rookie Ysabella Alcazar surprised the field by capturing silver (1:05.20).
UP rookie Aubrey Tom also impressed, taking home bronze medals in both the women’s 400-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly, bolstering her case for this season’s Rookie of the Year award.
Ateneo Close In On 10th Straight Title
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the men’s division, Ateneo de Manila University looks poised to secure its 10th straight championship after claiming three of the five gold medals up for grabs on Day 2 — two of them in record-breaking fashion.
Ateneo remained firmly on top of the men’s standings with 213 points, keeping DLSU (139) at a safe distance while pulling away from UP (105) and UST (76).
Making an immediate impact for the Blue Eagles was prized rookie TJ Amaro, who followed up his dominant debut on Day 1 with another commanding performance in the men’s 100-meter butterfly. Amaro shattered the UAAP record of 55.44 seconds, setting a new mark of 54.80 seconds.
UST rookie Reinielle Trinidad (55.84) and UP’s Joshua Ang (55.93) rounded out the podium.
Later, Amaro returned to the pool to anchor Ateneo’s men’s 400-meter freestyle relay team alongside Rafael Barreto, Paolo Labanon, and Charles Ticbaen. The quartet broke the school’s old UAAP record of 3:34.21, setting a new standard of 3:32.58, well ahead of DLSU (3:35.79) and UST (3:36.15).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Not to be outdone, reigning Rookie of the Year Miguel Barreto added another gold for Ateneo with a masterful win in the men’s 400-meter freestyle, clocking 4:03.67 to outpace DLSU’s Alexander Chu (4:07.80) and Reiniel Lagman (4:09.69).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
DLSU also had its share of success with rookie Peter Dean, who topped the men’s 200-meter backstroke in 2:09.10, just shy of the UAAP record (2:08.96). Last year’s champion Ivo Enot of Ateneo (2:11.20) settled for silver, while Carl Libarnes of DLSU (2:13.00) claimed bronze.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP also found a bright spot as Geoffrey Liberato captured gold in the men’s 50-meter breaststroke, clocking 29.41 seconds to narrowly beat Ateneo’s Rafael Isip (29.44) and Ace Espiritu (30.08).
