LOOKING TO extend their reign as champions, the Fast Ateneo Swimming Team (FAST) dove straight into the competition on Day 1 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Swimming tournament on Thursday, November 8 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

Eager to set the bar from the very beginning, the Blue Eagles started the day by sweeping the podium in the men’s 800m freestyle. Two-time Olympian and four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jessie Lacuna took first blood by winning Gold at (8:33.98). He was followed by former Team Captain Aldo Batungbacal who took the Silver at (8:46.39) and rookie Ianiko Limfilipino who nabbed the Bronze at (8:59.31) in his first UAAP finals debut.

Even with a medal already secured, Limfilipino looked to add more silverware. The La Salle Green Hills product and former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) MVP came as a close second after his veteran teammate, Batungbacal, in the 200m individual medley. While Batungbacal struck gold with a (2:09.49) run, Limfilipino landed right behind him at (2:12.38) for his second medal of the day.

In the men’s 100m freestyle finals, UAAP record-holder Jessie Lacuna topped the podium with a (53.20) finish while last year’s Rookie of The Year (ROTY), Miguel Barlisan, clocked in at (53.60) to snag the Bronze. Veteran Blue Eagle Jethro Chua also competed in the finals, taking the sixth spot with a time of (54.88).

Aki Cariño, Carlo Silva, Getty Reyes, and Drei Buhain teamed up in the men’s 4x50m medley relay and clocked in at (1:50.17) to earn a Silver medal. The squad of Buhain, Brandon Sing, Miggy Arellano, and Chua, could not add another medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay, landing fourth with a time of (8:20.28).

Ateneo FAST’s Lady Eagles kicked-off the 81st UAAP Swimming Tournament with resounding passion and a vast 45-point lead over the contending UP Lady Maroons at the end of the day.

Season 80 MVP and ROTY Kirsten Chloe Daos topped the Women’s 800m Freestyle finals with a record-breaking time of (9:24.51), snagging the first Gold for Ateneo FAST in the Women’s division. Team Captain Raegan Gavino clocked in at (9:50.15) to join Daos on the podium with a Silver medal. Bea Batungbacal (10:35.12) and Julia Balanag (10:40.75) followed in sixth and eighth place respectively, further contributing to the FAST’s first place lead.

Directly after her outstanding record-breaking swim, Daos impressed once again with another Gold medal finish in the Women’s 100m Freestyle finals (59.62). Joining the throne was Season 79 ROTY Andrea Ngui following split seconds behind Daos at (59.70).

The Lady Eagles’ impressive winning streak did not stop there; Courtney Gray, Raegan Gavino, Dara Carreon, and Suzanne Himor, all booked a spot in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley Finals. Gray garnered a Silver medal for her stellar performance (2:34.24) while Gavino finished with a Bronze at (2:34.50). The Ateneo FAST Rookies Suzanne Himor (2:36.33) and Dara Carreon (2:36.72) filled in the next two positions at fourth and fifth place respectively.

Sarah Alvina, Gray, Kristine Santos, and Shaye Uy, joined forces in the 4×100 Individual Medley relay, claiming a glorious Silver medal at (2:07.47). In a similar fashion, Batungbacal, Gray, Himor, and Santos, also ended the day with another Silver medal in the 4x200m Freestyle team event as they pummeled through the pool with a (2:36.72) finish.

Currently, both the Ateneo Blue and Lady Eagles lead the competition with the men’s team standing at 113 points and the women’s team at 117 points.

Men’s Team Captain Getty Reyes said, “I’m really proud of the team’s performance so far and I hope we keep a competitive mindset.”

The UAAP Swimming Tournament will continue on November 9 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.