AFTER A strong start to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Swimming Tournament, the men and women of the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team continued their quests for repeat glory on Friday, October 18 at Trace College, Los Baños. The Men’s team began the day’s events four points off the top spot, but by the end of the day, they faced a 13 point-deficit to De La Salle University. In the women’s division, the Lady Eagles stretched their lead to a whopping 57 points ahead of their closest competition, the University of the Philippines.
Ianiko Limfilipino ensured the Blue Eagles received a podium finish in the first event of the day, taking third place (4:15.69) in the Men’s 400m Freestyle finals. Chloe Daos added to her medal haul with a gold (4:42:37) in the Women’s 400m Freestyle, while teammates Raegan Gavino, Portia Doragos, and Kristine Santos finished in 4th (4:50.81), 6th (4:52.69), and 7th place (5:05.19), respectively.
In the 50m Breastroke, Rian Tirol snagged second place with a time of (30.41) to contribute 12 points to his team, while teammate Josh Taleon finished in 4th with a time of (31.43) in front of fellow Blue Eagles Jiron Rotoni in 5th place (31.48), and Drew Magbag in 6th place (31.57). Ronalyn Lalimo claimed the second gold medal of the day for the Lady Eagles after besting her opponents with a time of (35.08), while teammate Dara Carreon claimed a point for her team after finishing 8th with a time of (37.58).
In the 100m Butterfly finals, Daos continued her gold streak, topping the women’s division with a time of (1:03.35), while teammate Suzanne Himor finished in third at (1:07.44). Santos and Lalimo placed fourth and seventh after clocking in at (1:07.99) and (1:09.91), respectively.
Aki Cariño and Limfilipino both secured spots in the finals of the 200m Backstroke with the former taking home the gold with a time of (2:11.37) and the latter placing fifth at (2:18.56). In the women’s division, Courtney Gray and Carreon also booked places in the finals and finished third (2:34.19) and fourth (2:35.04), respectively.
The final event of the day, the 4x100m Freestyle Relay, was completely dominated by Ateneo. The Blue Eagles’ line-up of Drei Buhain, Jethro Chua, Justin Sy, and Miguel Barlisan raced to first place with a time of (3:39.06). Competing for the Lady Eagles were Himor, Doragos, Marj Manguiat, and Andrea Ngui. They claimed top spot as well after smashing the record with a time of (4:11.31) to bring a good day for the Lady Eagles to a close.
The FAST Ateneo Swimming Team will continue their title defense on Day 3 of the UAAP Season 82 Swimming Tournament on Saturday, October 19 at Trace College, Los Baños.