FOR THE pessimists, second place means you’re the first loser. For the Blue Tankers, winning silver couldn’t be any sweeter.
In Season 72, the men’s team swam away from Los Baños with their best finish in history, finishing first runner-up to perennial contender DLSU. But with less than six weeks to go before they take to the water again, there is no time to be resting on laurels.
Still underdogs
While the men’s team has lost its share of stars, things are hardly different for the Lady Tankers. Leading the exodus of podium finishers was UAAP Season 72 Most Valuable Player, Nicole Santiago.
“Due to graduation, our men’s team is weaker at the butterfly events while the women’s team needs more help for the backstroke,” Head Coach Archie Lim expressed.
Six swimmers, including key contributors Jonas Ramos and Jan Chiu, were lost to graduation. As if that isn’t reason enough to work a tad bit harder this season, the team’s scheduled training sessions have been altered due to difficulties in venue reservation.
Up until last year, the in-season routine consisted of 6:00 AM swims five or six times a week coupled with afternoon swims every weekday. This year however, morning training has become more of a novelty as their sessions have been reduced to nearly half. Conflicting schedules and unavailable off-campus pools have led to such a quandary.
Never one to fret, Coach Lim didn’t show any indication of worry or grave concern. “Like every year, our goal is to form a team capable of winning a championship. [Even though] we’re still underdogs, I think our teams have a chance,” he said.
Promising prospects
Scouting reports have confirmed that rival UAAP schools have bolstered their line-ups significantly.
Most notable of the new recruits is General Santos City native Lawin Dacera. A Palarong Pambansa standout, expect him to contend for this season’s Rookie of the Year. Along with sophomores Adel Barlisan and Sean Paul Tan, the Blue Tankers have a much younger core of solid performers.
On the women’s side, blessings came in the form of Southeast Asian Games tandem freshmen, Jasmine Ong and Celina Gonzales. With another strong showing from reigning Rookie of the Year Gigi Cordero, the Lady Tankers will not only be contenders this year but in the seasons to come as well.
One day at a time
Despite getting in the water eight to ten times a week, swimmers are also required to hit the gym from Monday to Saturday. Sprinters lift weights while long distance swimmers focus on endurance training.
Women’s team captain Paui Peña admits the difficulty of their in-season training regimen, “Kaya naman (It’s manageable). You have to balance your time and study or rest during breaks because when you get home, you’ll be so tired already,” she said.
Looking ahead
Last July 22 to 25, six of Ateneo’s best swimmers competed in the Senior National Championships. As not all participated, the coaching staff has planned four dual meets for the remaining weeks before competition; these will be friendly contests against DLSU and UST among others.
Team members that are part of a club team are expected to compete and hone their skills at G-League events scheduled at the end of August and middle of September. Sanctioned by the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association, these meets test the mettle of swimmers by pitting them against tankers not necessarily affiliated with any UAAP school.
The Blue and Lady Tankers will ultimately be judged according to their performance at the UAAP. In the way of a victory for the men are DLSU and UST. Meanwhile, defending champions, the University of the Philippines, looms waiting for the women’s team later this semester. Competition will be held, once again, in Trace Aquatic Center in Los Baños, Laguna from September 23 to 26.
Asked what place at the podium both teams will finish this year, Coach Lim doesn’t hesitate to say “second.”
He does follow up with an ominous, “but we have a very good chance to win it all.”
