San Beda University retained a huge lead during the penultimate day of the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Swimming Competition through Phia Bulanhagui’s tremendous performance on Friday at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila.
The Red Sea Lions showed composure after lording over the podium with events in 400-meter Individual Medley, 100-meter Butterfly, 50-meter Breaststroke, 200-meter Freestyle, 100-meter Backstroke, 50-meter Butterfly, and 4×100 Freestyle Relay both for Men and Women.
San Beda’s Phia Bulanhagui bagged three gold medals in one day, with the 400-meter IM timing a 5:34.32; then in the 100-meter Fly at 1:08.16; while in the 50-meter Fly with 31.57, to give her team a boost with 135 points.
Following Bulanhagui in the 400-meter IM were her teammates Mary Ann Velasco, capping the silver (5:38.86), while Stefany Sa-ac got the bronze (5:49.73).
Then in the 100-meter Fly, was followed by CSB’s Gabby Gonzalvo (1:11.07) and fellow comrade Alyssa Raut (1:12.16). Meanwhile, for the 50-meter Fly, it was the Blazers’ Mary Curia (31.79) and Gonzalvo (32.18) alongside her on the podium.
Another Lady Red Sea Lions gave a well-rounded performance. Amber Cawaling also acquired three gold medals in the 200-meter Free with 2:18.26; along with her were Velasco (2:19.69) and Sa-ac (2:21.61).
Cawaling also timed 1:12.90 in the 100-meter Backstroke, followed by Trixia Paloma (1:13.11) and Sa-ac (1:13.52). Meanwhile, her third gold was in the 4×100 Freestyle Relay with a time of 4:19.82.
Angel Lyn Docabo of San Beda topped the 50-meter Breaststroke with a time of 36.24; along with her were Justine Ciudadano (36.91) and Naozumi Tungul (37.83).
On the other side, for the Men’s, Fritz Rodriguez dominated the 50-meter Breaststroke with 30.51, while Lucio Cuyong II dropped through a .7 millisecond margin (30.58). Mapua’s Sean Enero notched the bronze with 31.72.
Rodriguez snagged the gold for the 50-meter Fly with 26.95, alongside teammates Rb Tierra (27.08) and Josh Abastillas (27.25). Abastillas won the 100-meter Fly with 59.43; with him were Kent Cagape (59.59) and Tierra (1:00.24).
Moreover, the Red Sea Lions dominated the 400-meter IM, with Sam Braga capping the gold with 4:59.01; Jophet Suarez (4:59.41) and John David Villaruz were going along with him.
In the 200-meter Free, Josh Baquiano and Cagape took over the podium, with the former timing a 2:00.80 and the latter getting 2:04.80. They bested CSB’s Charles Licardo (2:04.53).
Lean Dagum took the gold for the 100-meter Backstroke with 1:02.48, overtaking San Sebastian’s Judiel Buna (1:03.70) and St. Benilde’s Dan Leyba (1:04.28).
The Red Sea Lions led the 4×100 Free Relay for Men’s with a time of 3:44.74.
San Beda still remained at the top spot with a huge 1,107 points for the men, followed by the Blazers in the second spot with 372 points. Letran then is in the third spot with 215.5 markers, while Perpetual is in fourth with 198.5 points.
Meanwhile, the Lady Red Sea Lions dominated at the top with 1,031.5 points, followed by CSB in the second spot with 373.5 points. The Admirals are in third with 235 points, while Perpetual is also in the fourth spot with 117.5 points.
