CAPAS, TARLAC — University of Santo Tomas widened its lead in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions halfway through the UAAP Season 88 High School Swimming Championships, following another round of dominant performances at the conclusion of Day 2, Friday at the New Clark City Aquatics Center.
The Junior Lady Tigersharks surged ahead on the girls’ side with 255 points, building a commanding 142-point cushion over nearest pursuer Ateneo de Manila University, which has 145 points.
On the boys’ side, the Junior Tigersharks ended the day with 283 points, a hefty 138-point margin over the Blue Eagles in the tournament backed by CF Moto, Masiv Sports, and Nike Swim.
Reigning two-time MVP Pam Santor continued her stellar run, capturing her second gold medal of the meet in record-breaking fashion.
She ruled the girls’ 100-meter butterfly with a new UAAP record of 1:03.05, surpassing the previous mark of 1:03.45 set by fellow Thomasian Camille Buico in Season 82 (2019). UST’s Sinag Cuevas finished second with 1:07.82, just edging Clara Maligat of De La Salle-Zobel, who clocked 1:07.97.
The Junior Lady Tigersharks capped their dominant afternoon with another record-setting performance as Aica Sy, Jam Manocan, Yana Lagula, and Zichi Daiz smashed the meet record in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay with a time of 4:14.42, eclipsing the old standard of 4:15.33 set in 2019 by UST’s Honey Escarez, Jade Guevarra, Alexandra Bonite, and Kyla Managuelod. De La Salle-Zobel (4:35.14) and Ateneo (4:39.77) settled for second and third, respectively.
UST’s boys’ squad was equally impressive.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Reigning top swimmer Aishel Evangelista bagged two medals in the afternoon, highlighted by a gold in the 200-meter freestyle, where he dominated the field with a 4:17.07 finish. Teammates Charles Janda and Abrix Cruz completed another podium sweep for UST, clocking 4:24.47 and 4:30.12, respectively.
Kristoff David and CJ Valenzuela added to UST’s haul with titles in the 100-meter backstroke and 100-meter butterfly.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
David topped the field with 2:13.58, ahead of Ateneo’s Rafael Lentejas III (2:19.68) and teammate Evangelista (2:19.86), while Valenzuela edged UPIS’ Kevin Chan (59.13) and fellow Thomasian Christian Fermindoza (59.42) to secure another gold.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
David later anchored UST’s victorious 4×100-meter freestyle relay team, joining Jamen Bersamin, Jacob Tejada, and Joseph Cuidadano, as they clocked 3:45.08. Ateneo (3:58.51) and DLSZ (4:11.58) claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
Ateneo Maintains Second Spot
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo solidified its hold on second place in both divisions, thanks to double golds in the 50-meter breaststroke from Miguel Martinez and Anaia Lim.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Martinez matched the existing UAAP record of 30.04, first set by former Ateneo standout Rian Tirol in Season 81 (2018). Lim narrowly beat Cuevas at the wall with 35.03 to secure the win.
UST’s Bersamin (30.94) and Gabe Sy (31.38) completed the podium in the boys’ race, while Cuevas added another silver for the defending four-time champions with 36.36 in the girls’ division. UPIS’ Julia Halabaso and UST’s Shinloah San Diego shared the bronze after both clocked 36.86.
Florendo Emerges as MVP Contender
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Liv Florendo strengthened her case for the MVP award after clinching two golds on Day 2, helping UPIS stay firmly in third place with 99 points.
The Season 87 Rookie of the Year broke the 200-meter backstroke record previously held by Zoe Hilario (2:28.31, Season 81), setting a new mark of 2:28.04. Earlier, she also ruled the 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:44.71, just shy of DLSZ’s Nicole Pamintuan’s 2017 record (4:41.92, Season 80).
UST’s Tintin Uy (4:47.16) and Zichi Daiz (4:47.83) followed Florendo in the freestyle race, while Ateneo’s Trixie Ortiguerra (2:30.97) and UST’s Alex Rejuso completed the podium in the backstroke event.
Meanwhile, Chan and the rest of the UPIS boys’ squad currently sit in third place with 53 points, narrowly ahead of De La Salle-Zobel.
