Team
Excellence in all aspects has characterized Ateneo’s claim to the collegiate swimming crown, with the Men’s Swimming team blowing the competition out of the water as three-peat defending champions. Building on a legacy of greatness, the team has their eyes locked on glory as they sail towards a fourth consecutive gold.
Team Captain
Aldo Batungbacal
Swimming in his fourth University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) tournament, last year’s Most Valuable Player Aldo Batungbacal has taken the helm as captain. Navigating the squad’s voyage into glory, the veteran cites positivity as the catalyst to scoring another gold.
“I love positive energy. If one guy is positive, everyone is positive. I try to be the positive one and try to infect everyone.”
Giancarlo Silva
Senior Giancarlo Silva has enjoyed a medal-laden run in the country’s top collegiate league. In his 12 years of experience, the San Diego-raised swimmer has polished his technique through more than a decade of competition. Silva has grown into a dominant force as one of Ateneo’s most valuable weapons in its arsenal.
Paolo Mutuc
There is a fire in veteran tanker Paolo Mutuc, who looks to beat his own personal bests as he sings his swan song in the collegiate pool. Rendering his last year of service to the Blue and White, Mutuc has his eyes set on a fourth crown.
Aki Cariño
No stranger to swimming for the school, Ateneo de Manila High School product Aki Cariño brings experience from local waters and overseas. With a bronze medal at the 2016 Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships, the national swimmer provides school spirit and fresh talent to the new batch of tankers.
Miguel Barlisan
After a fruitful final season in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Miguel Barlisan joins the crew in their next conquest. Another promising recruit in Ateneo’s arsenal, the De La Salle Greenhills graduate is eager to shove out every ounce of effort to make a splash in the collegiate pool.
Coach’s Corner
Archie Lim
Program head Archie Lim governs the Ateneo pool in his tenth year as mentor, navigating the conquest towards a four-peat finish. Looking to build on the dynasty founded by generations of talented Atenean swimmers, Lim eyes the gold as he leads his squad to settle for nothing but the best.
“Again, [after] winning the three-peat in the men’s [division], the pressure is always there. But I think the new swimmers and the new captain are stepping up so far, so I think it’s going to be an exciting season to defend [the championship].”
