Swimming
Though 12 seniors—six from each men’s and women’s team—have bidden adieu to their alma, “Both the men’s and women’s team [aim] to at least be the 1st runner up once again,” Mike Contreras shares.
And a repeat of last year’s feat does not seem unachievable. Contreras affirms that the Tankers remain to be a formidable threat in the sprints. Their rigorous off-season which consisted of pool and dry-land training, will not only further strengthen the Tankers, but also addressed their long distance concern, the team’s noted weakness.
Currently, the team is gearing up for the G-League along with the top swimming clubs on June. It will serve as their time trial and off-season assessment.
Beach Volleyball
The Beach Spikers have been on a roll of podium finishes in the recent Cantada Beach Volleyball Open in Taguig City, and they’ve done so without their usual training routine, which begins this coming school year.
With last year’s force still intact and the addition of Lady Spikers’ manager, Khryzette Onishi, the ladies are optimistic for an improvement from their fifth-place finish in Season 72.
“I think we’re doing okay, considering that we don’t even have [our regular] training,” Sharah So say, “we just hope this continues for the rest of the year.”
The Beach Spikers will also be defending their crown in the Petron Beach Volleyball Tournament this coming July.
Women’s Basketball
With back-to-back 6th place finishes and consecutive 5-10 records, the last two years were growing pains for the Lady Eagles—reloading with young players but leaving the team ultimately inexperienced.
This season they are without the service of 4 players, including captain Maria Lopa.
Taking over, incoming senior Sarah Mercado looks to take a hands-on approach, “[I’ll] lead the team through actions; less words and more actions,” she says.
Undersized, the Lady Eagles will regain services of center Corrine Javier who sustained an ACL injury in practice last year.
For the Lady Eagles, next season is an opportunity to grow, and regain the winning touch which lead them to win in 2005 and 2007.
Blue Babble Batallion
This season the Blue Babble Battalion is determined to transcend their second-best status. Although the team lost some key members, they look to replenish the roster. “We want to place again,” senior captain Katsy Lee says of their main objective this season.
The team has essentially maintained the same group, with newly appointed captains, cheerdancer Lee and Desiree Fadri, while incumbent lifter Marty Buragay retains his status as captain.
Last year the Blue Babble was often criticized for their over-simplistic moves. To counter their opposition’s queries, this summer the Blue Babble invested lots of time in fitness and gymnastics in order to widen their range and to heighten the level of difficulty of their stunts.
