By: Portia Doragos
CAPAS, Tarlac — Brothers Miguel and Rafael Barreto are making waves in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Swimming Championships at the New Clark City Aquatics Center here.
The two combine exceptional talent and brotherly camaraderie to deliver standout performances for Ateneo de Manila University that highlight their unique bond in the pool.
Rafael, a senior at Ateneo, has been a cornerstone of the Blue Eagles swim team since his high school days.
His UAAP career has been nothing short of extraordinary, starting with a record-breaking debut that earned him the prestigious UAAP Season 78 Rookie of the Year title.
Now approaching the end of his collegiate journey, this year’s championship holds special significance – it marks the first and final time he competes alongside his younger brother, Miguel.
Miguel, for his part, is a rookie this season. Still, the blue-chip freshman wasted no time making his mark.
In the 800-meter freestyle event, he claimed his first-ever UAAP gold medal, narrowly missing Axel Ngui’s long-standing record with an impressive time of 8:32.75.
Miguel’s momentum carried into the afternoon session, where he dominated the 200-meter individual medley, cementing himself as a rising star.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I feel excited kasi first year ko and rookie [ako],” Miguel said. “I’ve been waiting for this for almost nine years.”
Meanwhile, Rafael continued to deliver as expected, successfully defending his title in the 100-meter freestyle – a race he has owned throughout his career.
The highlight of the meet came when the brothers went head-to-head in the 100-meter butterfly, captivating everyone in attendance.
From the moment they dove off the blocks, the Barreto brothers were neck-and-neck, delivering an exhilarating battle for the gold.
In a dramatic finish, Miguel edged out his elder brother with a time of 56.15 seconds, while Rafael touched the wall just behind at 56.23 seconds.
The two immediately embraced after the race, relishing the moment.
“Being with my brother, sobrang saya and nakaka-motivate kasi since last year na rin niya, siyempre gusto namin lahat kami maganda yung swims,” Miguel added.
With two days remaining in the competition, the Barreto brothers feel determined to help Ateneo secure an unprecedented ‘nine-peat.’
