CAPAS, TARLAC – University of the Philippines further cemented its claim to the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Swimming Championship after a dominant showing on the penultimate day of the tournament, capturing four gold medals and setting two new UAAP records.
The Fighting Maroons are on course to reclaim the women’s division crown with 351 points, well ahead of defending champions Ateneo at 203 points, De La Salle University at 188 points, and University of Santo Tomas at 134 points.
FERNANDEZ DOMINATES WITH DOUBLE GOLD, RECORD SWIMS
Fans at the New Clark City Aquatic Center here were treated to another historic performance from UAAP Season 86 rookie-MVP Quendy Fernandez, who clinched gold in back-to-back events.
In the women’s 100-meter backstroke, Fernandez erased the previous UAAP record of 1:04.13 by clocking 1:03.79 during the morning preliminaries. She then outdid herself in the finals, touching the wall at 1:02.95 to leave the competition behind. Teammate Kate Dequina (1:08.95) took silver, while De La Salle University’s Shayne Lugay (1:09.90) claimed bronze.
Fernandez’s feat was even more impressive as it came immediately after her victory in the women’s 50-meter butterfly. She finished comfortably in 28.73 seconds, nearly a full second ahead of rookie teammate Nikkie Sarmiento (29.53) and DLSU’s Ysabella Alcazar (29.77).
DELA CRUZ, DELOS SANTOS ANCHOR STRONG UP RELAY
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP also almost repeated the 1-2 finish in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke.
Thanya Dela Cruz ruled the event in 1:11.48, while fellow rookie CY Delos Santos (1:14.18) earned bronze after falling behind University of Santo Tomas ace Shairinne Floriano (1:13.64).
The Fighting Maroons capped off a stellar Day 3 with another UAAP record in the women’s 200-meter freestyle relay.
Dela Cruz, Delos Santos, Dequina, and Abi Perez combined for a 1:50.60 finish, breaking the previous record of 1:50.99 set by archrivals Ateneo de Manila University, who finished second in 1:53.14, narrowly ahead of DLSU’s 1:53.76.
SY SHINES AGAIN FOR ATENEO WITH DOUBLE GOLD
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, reigning MVP Mishka Sy carried the Blue Eagles’ fight for the third straight day, winning the women’s 200-meter freestyle and 400-meter individual medley. She now boasts five golds and one silver, putting her on track to repeat as MVP.
Sy powered through the final lap of the 200-meter freestyle for a 2:10.67 finish, leaving Green Tankers Mikaela Talosig (2:13.62) and Janelle Chua (2:13.81) behind. She was equally dominant in the 400-meter individual medley, finishing in 5:10.71, almost 15 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Ateneo rookie Liaa Amoguis (5:26.42) and Floriano (5:25.42) battled for silver, with Amoguis narrowly missing out.
ATENEO CLOSING IN ON 10TH STRAIGHT MEN’S TITLE
In the men’s division, gold medals were spread across multiple teams with the Blue Eagles bringing home three, the Fighting Maroons securing two, while the Green Tankers and the Tigersharks took one apiece.
With nine golds, seven silvers, and six bronzes, Ateneo continues its push toward an inevitable 10th straight men’s division UAAP championship.
The Blue Eagles lead with 363 points, ahead of DLSU’s 234, UP’s 177, and UST’s 152, heading into the final day of action.
BARRETO NEARS BACK-TO-BACK MVP HONORS
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Last season’s MVP Miguel Barreto added two more golds, leading Ateneo to a podium sweep in the men’s 200-meter freestyle (1:52.48) and winning the men’s 400-meter individual medley (4:45.67). With four golds and a silver this season, the sophomore standout is virtually assured of a second straight MVP.
Currently leading the Rookie of the Year race is Ateneo’s TJ Amaro, who finished second in the men’s 200-meter freestyle (1:54.40) and the 50-meter butterfly (25.03 seconds), tallying two golds and two silvers so far.
DLSU rookie Peter Dean also earned twin silver medals in Day 3, finishing second in the men’s 400-meter individual medley (4:47.63) and 100-meter backstroke (59.07).
ENOT, LIBERATO, ANG LEAD RECORD-BREAKING RUNS
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ivo Enot starred for Ateneo as well, matching his UAAP record of 58.18 seconds in the men’s 100-meter backstroke, which he set as a rookie last season.
UP had a standout day as well, taking gold in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke and 50-meter butterfly.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Geoffrey Liberato (1:04.29) and Jalil Taguinod (1:04.56) secured a 1-2 finish in the breaststroke, both challenging the UAAP record of 1:04.12.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
National team mainstay Joshua Ang claimed the 50-meter butterfly gold in 24.96 seconds, ahead of Amaro. Ateneo’s Rafael Barreto and UST’s Reinielle Trinidad shared bronze at 25.24 seconds.
RECORD FALLS IN MEN’S FREESTYLE RELAY, 1500M FINAL
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The UP quartet of Zach Belen, Jab Delizo, Johan Aguilen, and Marcus De Kam also broke the UAAP record in the men’s 200-meter freestyle relay, finishing in 1:35.84 to lead Ateneo (1:37.76) and DLSU (1:37.73).
DLSU’s Alexander Chu demonstrated his dominance in the longer distances, setting a UAAP record in the men’s 1500-meter freestyle with a time of 16:32.85. Ateneo’s Marco Daos (16:56.12) took silver, while DLSU’s Reiniel Lagman (16:59.26) rounded out the podium.
