AFTER FOUR grueling days of competition, the FAST Ateneo Women’s Team put up a heroic effort but fell short of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Swimming Championship title. The Blue Eagles exit the 85th UAAP season as the second-runners up after emerging as victors in the previous three seasons.
The morning events began with Samantha Coronel, Francesca Israel, Kara Mendoza, and Margarita Estacio registering times of 31.73 seconds, 37.63 seconds, 34.26 seconds, and 36.78 seconds, respectively, for the Women’s 50-meter Backstroke event.
Nirel Ibarra and rookie sensation Thanya Dela Cruz followed suit to compete in the 200-meter Women’s Breaststroke event. While maintaining a comfortable margin ahead of her opponents during the heat, Dela Cruz then took the lead to register a UAAP record at 2:34.99. Ibarra then secured the third-place title after clocking in at 2:50.36.
Dela Cruz finishes first once again as she clocks in at 2:34.99! Ibarra places third with 2:50.36. #UAAPSwimming pic.twitter.com/AceOJWFu2Y
— Eury See (@Eury_TheGUIDON) November 27, 2022
Marjorie Manguiat then took the stage to clinch the second spot on the board for the Women’s 200-meter Butterfly event at 2:46.29 minutes, while Margarita Estacio placed sixth at 3:51.95. Sam Doragos went on to seize third place after completing the second heat of the event at 2:37.85.
Thanya Dela Cruz, Kirsten Manuel, and Ronalyn Lalimo swam in Heat 1 of the Women’s 50-meter Freestyle meet—the final preliminary event of the morning. The trio capped off the race at 27.44 seconds, 29.04 seconds, and 29.78 seconds placing them at 3rd, 11th, and 15th place respectively. Charllyn Romanos then headed to the lanes in the second heat, clocking in at 28.75 seconds which put her at 9th place.
Dela Cruz clocks in at an impressive 27.44 seconds with Manuel and Lalimo following suit at 29.04 and 29.78 seconds respectively. #UAAPSwimming pic.twitter.com/nuu2LT1duO
— Eury See (@Eury_TheGUIDON) November 27, 2022
The afternoon finals session kicked off with the 50-meter Backstroke event, with Samantha Coronel as the sole bet of the Ateneo. Coronel missed out on a podium finish after finishing in fourth place with a registered time of 31.79 seconds.
Following this were Sofia Isip, Nirel Ibarra, Thanya Dela Cruz, and Charllyn Romanos in the 200-meter Breaststroke event. Isip clocked in at 2:46.15 for a fourth-place finish, whereas Ibarra and Romanos finished at 2:48.55 and 2:49.32 for the sixth and seventh ranks respectively. However, Dela Cruz set a new Philippine record and secured gold with a time of 2:30.42—breaking her own previous finish of 2:34.99 she set in the morning preliminary sessions.
Dela Cruz goes first and SETS A NEW UAAP RECORD with a time of 2:30.42!
— Ethan M. Encarnacion (@Ethan_TheGUIDON) November 27, 2022
Isip registers a time of 2:46.15 for fourth place, while Ibarra and Romanos clock in at 2:48.55 and 2:49.32 for sixth and seventh place respectively.#UAAPSwimming pic.twitter.com/LeLO2LOaWj
The duo of Doragos and Marjorie Manguiat competed in the 200-meter Butterfly event. Doragos clocked in at 2:34.14 for fourth place, while Manguiat trailed behind at fifth with a registered time of 2:35.60.
In the day’s final individual event, Dela Cruz swam in the 50-meter Freestyle event where she finished third at 27.09 seconds for the bronze medal.
Dela Cruz secures the bronze 🥉 with a time of 27.09 seconds!#UAAPSwimming pic.twitter.com/dCIRP6wjSn
— Ethan M. Encarnacion (@Ethan_TheGUIDON) November 27, 2022
Ending the day with an adrenaline-loaded 4x100m Medley, the Blue Eagle squad finished strong in second place. Zipping through the first lap was Coronel, who clinched an overall lead with a time of 1:07.83. Following suit, Isip guarded their front and closed the second lap at 2:23.90. Teammate Manguiat charged ahead to 3:31.54, securing the top slot for the Blue and White in the third lap. Clocking in at 4:34.12, Manuel raced to second place at the end of the final lap, split seconds behind the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, who finished at 4:33.78.
A tight race ends in a second place finish for the Blue Eagles with a time of 4:34.12.#UAAPSwimming pic.twitter.com/wZfjhcrlBe
— Ethan M. Encarnacion (@Ethan_TheGUIDON) November 27, 2022
“I’m proud [of] what my teammates are showing this season. Everyone’s supportive,” 100- and 200-meter Breaststroke record holder Thanya Dela Cruz shared. “But giving this honor to my school is everything.” Despite relinquishing the UAAP Swimming title, the Katipunan-based squad moves forward with heads held high after impressing the league with a twelve-medal finish and the numerous broken records throughout the tournament.
SMILES ALL AROUND.
— Ethan M. Encarnacion (@Ethan_TheGUIDON) November 27, 2022
The FAST Ateneo Women’s Swimming Team are the second runners-up of the Women’s division!@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPSwimming pic.twitter.com/nyuCctmrNR
