CAPAS, Tarlac — As the skies cleared over the New Clark City Aquatics Center here, the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Swimming Championships witnessed intense battles.
Title contenders De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University took turns challenging reigning champion University of the Philippines on Tuesday.
The Lady Tankers surged to the top of the standings, amassing 79 points for a cumulative total of 155 – narrowly edging out UP, which tallied 152 points after three golden performances.
The Blue Eagles remained in contention, racking up 81 points on the day for a total of 146, just nine points off the lead.
UP’s Stars Shine Bright
Two former Most Valuable Players led UP’s charge.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Team captain Camille Buico showcased her mastery in the women’s 100-meter butterfly, clocking 1:03.94 to clinch the gold medal.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, sophomore Quendy Fernandez dominated the women’s 200-meter backstroke, finishing first in 2:22.13.
UP capped off the day with a record-breaking feat as Atasha Dela Torre, Mary Louise Lacson, Anthonie Kate Dequina, and Fernandez combined for a 4:03.22 finish in the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
The team shattered the previous UAAP record of 4:10.50.
La Salle Rises with Talosig
Despite UP’s heroics, La Salle claimed the lead, thanks to rookie sensation Mikaela Talosig. She captured gold in the women’s 400-meter freestyle (4:35.52) and bronze in the women’s 200-meter backstroke (2:27.33).
Ateneo’s Pursuit
While Ateneo did not claim gold on Day 2, the Blue Eagles stayed competitive, earning five medals – four silvers and one bronze.
Mishka Sy stood out, securing two silver medals in the women’s 400-meter freestyle (4:41.31) and 200-meter backstroke (2:24.74).
At the halfway mark, Sy leads the MVP race with 51 points, a single point ahead of Talosig (50).
In the women’s 50-meter breaststroke, Annika Isip took silver (34.20), while University of Santo Tomas’ Alyza Paige Ng won gold (34.01) – UST’s first of the tournament.
Ateneo Dominates in Men’s Division
Over in the men’s division, Ateneo extended its dominance, sweeping all five events on Day 2 to accumulate 255 points, far ahead of La Salle (137) and UP (91).
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Rookie Miguel Barreto continued his stellar debut, winning gold in the men’s 400-meter freestyle (4:03.35) and the 100-meter butterfly (56.15).
“This season, gusto ko lang is siyempre Rookie-MVP, points for the team, and sana magka-records,” said Barreto, now a frontrunner in the MVP race with four consecutive wins.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Fellow rookie Ivo Enot also shone, winning his first senior-level gold in the men’s 200-meter backstroke (2:10.55).
“So far, second day na, I swam three events and na-medals naman lahat; and broke my [personal best] times. I think I really did great and big part for the team,” said Enot.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Graduating captain Rian Tirol set a new UAAP record in the men’s 50-meter breaststroke preliminaries (28.77 seconds) before securing gold in the finals (29.12 seconds).
He was joined on the podium by teammate Rafael Isip (29.41) and UP rookie Jalil Taguinod (29.53), who prevented an Ateneo podium sweep.
Barreto Brothers’ 1-2 Finish
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In a heartwarming highlight, Rafael Barreto and his younger brother Miguel achieved a rare 1-2 finish in the men’s 100-meter butterfly.
“Being with my brother, sobrang saya and nakaka-motivate kasi since last year na rin niya, siyempre gusto namin lahat kami maganda yung swims,” said Miguel.
The Blue Eagles capped the day with another record-breaking relay performance.
Charles Ticbaen, Nathan Sason, Tirol, and Rafael Barreto clocked 3:34.21 in the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay, fending off La Salle (3:35.51).
Day 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Swimming Championships resumes tomorrow.
The preliminary rounds, featuring the 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter breaststroke, 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter backstroke, and 400-meter individual medley, begin at 8:30 AM.
The finals will follow in the afternoon.
