The Ateneo Lady Eagles enjoyed a successful title defense in the UAAP Season 78 Swimming Championship. The Lady Eagles saw off stiff competition from the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons to keep the championship in the blue side of Katipunan.
The Lady Eagles took home not only the trophy, but also all individual honors. Hannah Dato and Reagan Gavino were named MVP and Rookie of the Year respectively while their mentor, Candice Esguerra, brought home the Best Coach award this Season 78 at the conclusion of the tournament.
For Hannah Dato, the MVP award wasn’t her utmost priority this season. “Ang iniisip ko lang parati is makapagbigay ng points para sa team ko, makapagchampion kami. Ayun lang. Tapos yung mga tinuturo lang sa akin ni coach, lagi ko iniisip. Hindi ko iniisip ang awards na napapanalunan ko. Kumbaga yung mga yun parang additional prize lang para sa akin.”
In order to prepare for this season, the Lady Eagles booked trips to Thailand and Australia. Dato shared it was in the details of how foreign swimmers prepared and cooled down where she and her teammates learned the most. “Siyempre kasi yung experience po like bawat pong laban, bawat event, madami po kaming natututunan kung ano yung mali namin, ano pong kailangan i-improve. Tsaka kasi medyo advanced po yung other countries so kapag napapanood namin sila mag-swim or ano yung ginagawa nila before or after they swim, natututo din po kami.”
Team practices for the Lady Eagles were key for Ateneo this season. Previous seasons entailed individual practices and Dato felt the change had given them an edge for the championship “Isa yun sa factor. Maganda yung nagtatraining ka araw-araw tapos kasama mo sila, mas nagiging ano yung bonding niyo. Parang nakikilala niyo ang isa’t-isa. Mas nagiging close.”
The UP Lady Maroons were the closest competitor to the Lady Eagles. Dato played a key role for Ateneo in how they eventually prevailed over the Lady Maroons. “First saya po siyempre kasi like kahapon medyo emosyonal yung araw namin para sa Women’s team kasi like yung sa computations po parang 30 points na lang yung agwat namin sa UP. Sobrang lapit lang po nun parang isang event lang yun, mawawala na sa amin yung championship pero ayun nag push kami. Buti nga ngayon hindi namin akalain na nagawa namin,” she said.
Academic and UAAP obligations put tremendous pressure on Dato and her teammates. Dato declared how proud she was that she and her teammates had won this championship despite the temptation to quit. ”Lahat po sila nag step-up kaya super proud ako sa kanila. Kahit yung iba dun minsan mukhang sobrang gusto na mag-quit ng swimming dahil nahirapan na rin sa pressure sa aral and sa swimming pero ayun nandito pa rin sila. Super proud talaga ako sa kanila.”
It is a while yet to Season 79 and Dato didn’t guarantee a three-peat for Ateneo. However, Dato promised that the Lady Eagles will do everything to continue the championship streak. “Kasi naman kung gusto talaga namin, magagawa talaga namin yun. Kasi pag sa training, ang lagi naming ginagawa ay minomotivate namin ang isa’t-isa. Kunwari down yung isa, bibigyan namin ng advice, lahat ng pwede naming gawin para matulungan. Parang angat lang namin ang isa’t-isa.”
