AFTER FOUR days of grueling competition at the Rizal Memorial Complex Swimming Pool in Manila, the Fast Ateneo Swimming Team (FAST) emerged victorious at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 Swimming competition. The men’s team bagged 19 gold, nine silver, and nine bronze medals–totaling 563 points and dominating their nearest competition, De La Salle University (286) and University of the Philippines (199). Meanwhile, 15 gold, seven silver, and four bronze medals brought the lady tankers to the top of the women’s division en route to 428 points.

The Ateneo tankers made history this time around, with Jessie King Lacuna, Axel Ngui, Hannah Dato, and other veterans leading the charge for the Blue and White in record-fashion. Lacuna and Dato, who were both crowned Most Valuable Players in their respective divisions, both won seven gold medals each over the course of the tournament and shattered several records in the process.

Dato ruled the women’s division, setting new marks in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and the 400m individual medley. Lacuna also impressed with another show-stopping performance. The former Olympian tucked seven gold medals under his belt and topped several national and personal bests in the 200m individual medley, the 400m individual medley, the 100m freestyle, and the 50m butterfly.

Team Captain Axel Ngui also contributed several gold medals of his own, breaking a number of records in the process. Ngui clocked in at 23.23 seconds in the 50m freestyle and at 26.89 seconds in the 50m backstroke. Meanwhile, sophomore Carlo Silva shattered the record in the 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:23.03.

A notable performance came from last year’s Rookie of the Year Aldo Batungbacal, who broke a 26-year old UAAP record in the finals of the 1500m freestyle with a time of 16:49.89–a full six seconds faster than National University’s Cesario Palacio, who set the previous record back in 1989.