THE FINALE to the Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Swimming saga was nothing less than an emotional whirlpool for swimmers and spectators alike, as the fourth day of competition saw champions both rise and fall in the tournament’s final chapter on Monday, October 24 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The Blue and Lady Eagles ended their run for a third consecutive crown on a bittersweet note, with the men’s capturing the crown and the women stumbling in a heated point-race with rivals University of the Philippines (UP) to end the Eagles’ reign over the competition. While the men enjoyed leverage through a huge margin of separation from the rest of the opposition, the Lady Eagles found a tough adversary in the Lady Maroons, who managed to turn the tide at the end of Day 3, coming within a 10-point reach going into the last day. Greater presence on the podium ultimately sent the trophy sailing to Diliman as UP topped the tables to take back the crown that had eluded them for the past two seasons.

Nevertheless, the fighting spirit and tremendous camaraderie that characterized the defending champions burned brightest on the final day of competition, as FAST swam with passion, pride, and heart in their last dash for the title.

Jessie Lacuna and Miggy Arellano topped the 200m butterfly at first and second, with the veteran olympian clocking in at (2:07.27) and the rookie finishing at (2:13.60). Hannah Dato brought home a silver in the women’s event, timing (2:27.33) while Romina Gavino scored her last medal of the season with a bronze at (2:27.80).

Team captain and graduating swimmer Axel Ngui hauled in a gold at the men’s 50m backstroke with a (27.23s) finish, followed by Brandon Sing in third place at (28.21s). Junior Ariana Herranz tucked in her final medal in the women’s 50m backstroke, ranking second at (31.41s).

Emotions ran high at the men’s 50m freestyle finals, where Axel Ngui and rookie Jethro Chua snagged the gold and silver, clocking in at (23.96s) and (24.32s), respectively. The event marked Ngui’s last appearance in the UAAP swimming league, with the decorated veteran lending his final term of service as a Blue Eagle. The captain’s exit from the pool was met with both cheers and tears from the Ateneo crowd, as Ngui immediately took his sister Andrea in a teary embrace to signify the end of an eventful and prosperous career sporting the Blue and White.

Meanwhile, Shaye Uy timed (28.18s) for the bronze in the same event in the women’s division, while Andrea Ngui tucked the silver under her belt with a (28.16s) finish, promising to continue the legacy her team captain and older brother would be leaving behind. Although an earlier mistake of naming Lady Maroon Yssa Pogiongko as season 79’s Rookie of the Year (ROY) was made, a Steve Harvey moment was pulled off in the UAAP Swimming grounds as Andrea Ngui pulled was eventually garnered the ROY award for her crucial role throughout the tournament and for an impressive debut as a Lady Eagle. On the other hand, former Ateneo high school standout and FAST product Miggy Arellano won the award on the men’s side of the competition.

Former Rookie of the Year Aldo Batungbacal led the rally towards the finish line, smashing into the history books with another two individuals records broken. Batungbacal ranked first in the 1500m freestyle to establish a new league best of (16:42.61), while Eman Dapat took the bronze at (17:22.50). Batungbacal then went on to shatter the mark in the 200m breaststroke with a golden and record-setting finish of (2:22.95). Paolo Mutuc and Giancarlo Silva followed in second and third place, clocking in at (2:24.85) and (2:25.86), respectively, for two more medals in the Blue Eagle’s collection.

The last event of the season saw the Blue Eagles settle for nothing but the best, as the men’s 4x100m medley relay team made the most of their last chance to redefine greatness on the collegiate stage. Jeric Santos, Getty Reyes, Silva, and Justin Sy broke new ground in the relay, setting a new league record at (4:06.37) thanks to anchor Sy’s dying-second heroics to outswim UP’s John Doragos and steal the gold from behind. The Lady Eagles similarly put up a valiant fight against the Lady Maroons in the women’s relay, as Julia Balanag, Shaye Uy, Kristine Santos, and Ramona Datu brought home the silver at (4:51.35).

Despite FAST falling short of a championship sweep, both Most Valuable Player awards were given to members of the team, as Aldo Batungbacal and Hannah Dato garnered the tournament’s highest individual honors. However, neither Eagle measured the award in points earned, records broken, or medals won, reflecting the values of teamwork and spirit that have ensured that the Ateneo swimming team achieves success in both victory and defeat.

“It feels great because of the hard work, and we actually have to thank Axel and Jessie for the sacrifices that they’ve made,” says Batungbacal, “They sacrificed their own awards so that we could protect the dream.”

“I just told myself that I need to give my best for my teammates,” admits Dato, “I’m really happy for them because we got closer together and each one of us gave it our all.”

Although the team will be losing a few key Eagles entering their next journey to reestablish their reign over the UAAP waters, the winning attitude and the mentality of being a team player rather than an individual player remains intact to keep the fire burning on the squad. Defeat can hardly dampen the spirits of athletes who know that victory is quantified by much more than what happens inside the pool.

“It feels really great to be part of the team once again, and I think we really deserve this,” shares sophomore Eman Dapat, “The team came together as one to fight for what we have and fight for what we deserve.”