Early January isn’t exactly the best time to compete for the Blue and Lady Tankers. Their muscles less defined and their stomachs spoiled by the holidays, some would find them easy prey in the water. Nevertheless, they did enough to defend their home turf.
Last January 19, Team Ateneo welcomed swimmers from the American University in Cairo (AUC) for a duel in the frigid Loyola Schools’ Pool. After a total of twenty two events, the Blue and White swam away with a resounding 190- to 135-point victory.
It was their first competition of the year, and a good barometer of what they have to work on during the summer. Without intense post-UAAP training however, the team had to buckle up for a formidable fight.
“I’ve trained only twice since the UAAP ended. Once in November and another time just last Monday,” said graduating swimmer Anthony Co, in a mix of English and Filipino.
What made things even more interesting was the glaring size difference between the competitors. In Philippine standards, the Blue and Lady Tankers are tall and hefty. On the other hand, their AUC counterparts seemed as though they were going to power their way through the water with ease―due in no small part to their immense size advantage.
Nonetheless, in swimming, technique overrides all physical limitations. Look no further than former World Record holder Kaio de Almeida for proof. With that in mind, Jared Mella and the rest of Team Ateneo had no reason to worry.
The afternoon began with a 4×50-meter freestyle relay which, to the shock of most onlookers, saw the AUC men’s team run away with the meet’s first points. It would get better thereafter however, as the only other events the Blue Tankers would lose were the 50- and 100-meter butterfly. Sean Tan, Adel Barlisan, and Islau Dapat were pivotal in keeping their foes at bay.
On the distaff side, it was pure domination. To the surprise of no one, the UAAP runner-up Lady Tankers decimated the opposition. Reigning MVP Denjylie Cordero and Rookie of the Year Jasmine Ong, along with butterfly specialist Celina Gonzalez, made quick work of their challengers.
In essence, it was the women’s team that sealed the deal and the victory, as they accounted for most of Team Ateneo’s points during the meet.
Later on, what was to be the most exciting event of the day was stopped short as Barlisan suffered cramps midway through his swim—some swimmers just had too many events that day, and something of the sort was bound to happen.
Even so, the Blue and Lady Tankers escaped with a wake-up call of a victory. “We had limited swimmers so everybody had to contribute,” shared junior tanker Mia Crespo. With a new year, comes a new season of hard work and preparation.
It’s time to dive in for training again people.
