THE ATENEO Blue and Lady Tankers started their University Athletic Association Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 campaign strong, earning podium finishes and setting new records on September 19, 2013, at the Trace College Aquatic Center in Los Banos, Laguna.
Sophomore Axel Ngui broke his own UAAP record from last year in the Men’s 800m freestyle with a time of 8:40.15. He was also able to earn gold and bronze medals in the 100m freestyle and 200m Individual Medley events, respectively.
Junior Kim Uy broke the UAAP record in the Women’s 800m freestyle set by former Lady Tanker, Sherlynne Nicole Santiago in 2009. Uy finished with a time of 9:28.46 and earned herself a gold medal.
“The team has mostly stepped up this year. It was expected for both Ngui and Uy to have bagged the gold in the 800m Freestyle events,” Head Coach Archie Lim said. “We really did well today in general and we also got lucky.”
Not to be overlooked are the powerhouse relay teams who rallied to earn podium finishes.
The Men’s 4x50m Individual Medley relay team, composed of Jan Jeric Santos, Micco Pesuena, David Mendoza and Benjo Ramos, bagged first place.
In the Men’s 4x200m freestyle Relay, Michael Cocabo, Roberto Batungbacal, Benjo Ramos and Gio Palencia sprinted their way from fourth place to an eventual second place finish in the event.
On the other hand, the Women’s 4x50m Individual Medley Relay team composed of Andee Torres, Sandra Gojar, Jackie Cruz and Ramona Datu finished in second place.
Finishing first in the Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay event were Roanne Yu, Ramona Datu, Jasmine Ong and Kim Uy.
For individual events, senior Celina Gonzales garnered one silver and one bronze medal in the 100m freestyle and the 200m Individual Medley, respectively. Lady Tanker Yu earned a bronze medal for the 100m freestyle event, while Blue Tanker Palencia bagged the silver medal in the 800m freestyle.
After the first day of the season, the Ateneo Blue and Lady Tankers are remaining optimistic about the remaining three days. “We are still hoping for the best,” Says Coach Lim.