NINE MEDALS decorate the Blue and White as the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team kicks off their University of the Philippines Athletics Association (UAAP) Season 86 Swimming Tournament.
Ateneo’s electrifying performance yesterday at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool, City of Manila ended in a triple-gold finish for the Women’s team, and four podium finishes in the Men’s events.
Freestyle
The 100m Freestyle saw Maiki Gonzaga (1:01.81) and Kirsten “Kimi” Manuel (1:03.29) claim the 6th and 7th places in the final Women’s category heat, with both swimmers clocking in just seconds apart. In the same event, Men’s division veterans Rafael Barreto and Juan Marco Daos raced against each other for the top spot. While Daos (53.24) secured a leading distance on the first 50 meters, Barreto closed the gap to clinch the gold medal at 52.78 seconds, handing the silver medal to the former.
At the 800m Freestyle, veterans Nirel Ibarra (10:51.90), Isabel Estacio (11:39.94), Ricielle Melencio (10:07.77), and Sam Doragos (10:13.06) fell seconds short in the qualifying heats, nevertheless displaying admirable efforts in the water. Meanwhile, Season 85 MVP Phillip Joaquin “Wacky” Santos (8:52.88), alongside Daos (8:53.03), vied for the lead in the same event. Both Blue Eagles ended one after the other to claim the silver and bronze medals apiece, with Joshua Del Rio finishing less than a split second after Daos at 8:53.06.
Individual Medley (IM)
Returning to the pool for the Men’s 200m Individual Medley (IM) event, Santos (2:10.41) re-emerged as a back-to-back gold medalist in the event with his unparalleled mastery of swim strokes. Following the reigning MVP were Ianiko Limfilipino (2:15.20) and Del Rio (2:16.96) who finished in 5th and 7th place respectively.
Undaunted as the youngest swimmer in the Women’s 200m IM category, standout rookie Mishka Sy bested all other contenders to win another gold medal for Ateneo at 2:23.63 minutes. In the same finals, Riciel Melencio (7th) and Ibarra (8th) swam inches behind Sy, making contact with the wall at 2:33.13 and 2:36.53 respectively.
Relay
Veterans Limfilipino, Custodio, Rafael Isip, and Charles Ticbaen shone through the Men’s 800m Freestyle Relay, winning bronze after making flawless transitions in and out the water. Covering the same distance in the Women’s division, Samantha Coronel, Ibarra, Doragos, and Manuel overpowered their opponents to take home the gold medal.
Elsewhere, the combined talents of Men’s Team Captain Rian Marco Tirol, Hjalmar Pasaylo, Prince Rotoni, and Joaquin Custodio put forward an incredible front for Ateneo in the 4×50 Medley Relay. While their impeccable skill gave Ateneo an upper hand in the water, the Blue Eagles (1:52.16) missed a podium finish after recording a four-second trail to De La Salle University.
Avenging the Blue and White shortly after were Women’s Team Captain Marjorie Manguiat, Sofia Isip, Coronel, and Manuel. Supercharged by their impressive synergy and speed, the Blue and White recorded a collective time of 2:02.29, earning the gold medal while also breaking the previous 4×50 UAAP Women’s Medley Relay record previously held by the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Looking to build on their solid first day, the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team returns to the pool today, 8:30 AM, in the same venue.
