CROWNED KINGS and queens of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Swimming tournament once again, the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team (FAST) have regained dominion over the cutthroat collegiate waters. With the Men’s team protecting the dream of a four-peat victory and the Women’s team taking the title back after last year’s emotional upset, the dynasty stands taller than ever as the season draws to a close.
But in and out of the pool, nothing ever comes easy. The waves of the Loyola Schools swimming pool teem with hardship and glory, telling a grander story than what the legends built. Looking beyond the thrill of the race, the medals, the podium finishes, and the shattered records can only tell so much when championships are more than just an athletic feat. FAST’s return to the UAAP is no mere victory, representing not only the fruits of emotional triumph, but also a journey that began long before the surface of the pool was broken.
‘Be the bar’
Garnering the last three UAAP championships before Season 80, the Blue Eagles are definitely no strangers to competing at the top of their game. Although confidence is always a strong characteristic for any athlete, an excess of confidence poses a dangerous problem in the form of complacency, which was the biggest obstacle the Men’s team faced heading into a new voyage.
However, FAST’s new mantra to “be the bar” served as a compass to keep the team on course, anchoring the squad on the path to victory. Despite history being on their side, the Blue Eagles avoided cutting corners during training and hitting just the bare minimum en route to the championship. Focus was key, as the team went all out in heart and mind to set the bar higher and show what it truly means to be an Atenean swimmer.
Whereas the Men’s team sought the glory of a four-peat gold, the Women’s team charged into the season facing a challenging climb towards redemption. Heading into a new frontier, the Lady Eagles sailed into Season 80 with composure and poise. Through months of training to battle it out in the lanes, the team tuned the psychological side of their game to perfection, preparing for both the mental and physical fight to stage a long overdue comeback.
Powered by a constant barrage of support and cheer from their teammates along the stands, the Lady Eagles displayed grit and grace under pressure, managing to produce outstanding results despite swimming against the odds. The penultimate day saw the women defend a precarious seven-point advantage and kick off a string of winning performances that shielded their lead in the final leg of the championship race. While last year’s story narrated the toppling of giants, Season 80 saw the Lady Eagles change the tide, as they willed themselves back onto the podium to take the gold and rule the waters.
By all means
Though both squads came into the season with different motivations, their fire burned from the same fuel. Women’s captain Julia Balanag commanded the troops with a tone of praise and positivity for how far her squad had come in the months leading up to the showdown.
“In training, I can see all of the improvements from months ago in each and every one of my teammates,” shares Balanag. “This year, we know we have a great chance, even though there’s no guarantee, so everyone is really motivated to train better and push each other.”
In addition, it was important for the team to take advantage of starting from the bottom instead of dealing with the pressure of having to defend another crown. Veteran Raegan Gavino shares Balanag’s sentiments, idealizing an atmosphere of reliance, support, and shared confidence to push everyone to raise the bar without pressure.
“We’ve created an environment where we believe in each other as opposed to putting pressure on ourselves,” explains Gavino. “There’s a conscious effort to make our training environment super positive. This year, we have the mindset that we have nothing to lose, [and] there’s nothing that’s gonna stop us from giving everything we have.”
Ateneo Swimming Program Director Archimedes Lim echoes the high standards that he, the coaching staff, and the athletes have established for themselves. The seasoned voice of authority has engineered a culture of victory in the Ateneo swimming pool, breeding a squad of champions through dedication to each of his swimmers and his team.
“If we keep the status quo, we won’t get where we want to, so we challenged them to step up,” says Lim. “We give them goals that we think are achievable. When you aim for high goals like we do, it’s easy to plan for success, but it also means a greater commitment.”
Rising stars
FAST’s championship cause has spawned the next generation of Atenean swimmers, who made a splash to show promising signs of a lasting legacy. Former National Collegiate Athletics Association Juniors division Most Valuable Player (MVP) Miguel Barlisan and international mainstay Aki Cariño announced themselves as Ateneo’s newest weapons, locked and loaded to defend the title for years to come. Barlisan’s rapid freestyle and backstroke events earned him this year’s Rookie of the Year (ROTY) award, booting two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
Likewise, Lady Eagle and prized rookie Chloe Daos stole the spotlight in the women’s division, blowing the competition out of the water with a near perfect six golden finishes and one silver swim. Daos’ heroics scored her a formidable feat, earning her both the ROTY and MVP awards in a highly impressive college debut. The frontrunner freshman looks to be a potential goldmine for Ateneo, with backstroke specialist Courtney Gray looking equally potent as a brand new breed of blue.
A legacy of excellence
Housing a new assortment of talent, FAST’s championships have been left to the protection of worthy hands, strengthened by the sacrifice and tutelage of past Ateneo veterans. “It was a goal of mine to set the standard high so that the others can follow; and lucky for me, they didn’t just follow, they went above the expectations,” shares team captain Aldo Batungbacal. “The future looks really bright because in three to four years, I’m sure they can still keep the championship streak alive.”
Having trained their hearts through meticulous preparations, FAST has certainly reached an invaluable vantage point, placing themselves in the best position to succeed through virtue in training and dedication to bringing out the best out of one another.
Team has become family, built on the groundwork of commitment in training to propel them to new heights and create a foundation for future excellence. But records and titles speak of more than just speed and strength, as the championship becomes a testament to the personal values and virtues that are essential to victory.
“UAAP is a platform for someone to showcase their hard work, and I want people to see the values I’ve learned because of swimming,” shares Batungbacal. “If you work hard enough, you’ll always get something better, so just work hard and be the bar.”
