THE ATENEO Swimming Teams kicked off their University of the Philippines Athletics Association (UAAP) Season 88 campaign with an electrifying performance, bagging 11 medals and shattering a pair of UAAP records. The event was held earlier today, November 6, at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac.
Freestyle
The Men’s 100-Meter Freestyle event saw stellar performances from the Ateneo Men’s Swimming Team, as they swept the top four spots in a dominant display. TJ Amaro led the charge, capturing the gold medal and breaking the UAAP record with a time of 51.36—narrowly beating former Blue Eagle Jessie Lacuna’s long-standing record of 51.66 set in Season 78.
Marco Daos (52.45) followed closely to earn the silver, while Ivo Enot (52.88) secured the bronze. Rounding up the impressive lineup, Charles Ticbaen (52.98) finished just behind in fourth place.
The Women’s side of the 100-Meter Freestyle found Mishka Sy continuing her reign of dominance in the sport by capturing her squad’s first gold with a time of 1:00.42. Alongside her was Kirsten Manuel (1:01.96), who clocked in at fifth for the event.
In the Men’s 800-Meter Freestyle, the Ateneo Swimming Team once again secured podium finishes, with Season 87 Men’s Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Miguel Barreto (8:41.90) claiming the silver and Daos (8:49.50) taking the bronze. Paolo Labanon (8:53.87) and Joshua Del Rio (9:21.58) concluded their swim in fifth and twelfth place, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s 800-Meter Freestyle, Ateneo standout Marga Amoguis (10:14.12) stood on the podium to bag the Blue and White the bronze medal. Right behind her, Chelo Neri (10:26.79) displayed a commendable performance by finishing in fifth.
Individual Medley (IM)
Over in the Men’s 200-Meter Individual Medley, Barreto led the charge with an impressive 2:09.85 time, securing the gold. Meanwhile, Uno Suarez also put up a solid effort, finishing eighth overall with a time of 2:16.16.
In the Women’s Division, Sy emerged with another medal for the Blue and White as she achieved a blistering time of 2:24.77 in the 200-Meter IM event. Alongside the Blue Eagle mainstay was Amoguis, who came in sixth with a time of 2:32.80.
Relay
The Ateneo Men’s Swimming Team once again demonstrated their dominance in the pool as the unit of Enot, Daos, Rafael Barreto, and Rafa Isip set a new UAAP record in the Men’s 4×50-Meter Medley Relay. The line-up set a time of 1:44.48, surpassing the team’s previous record of 1:45.31.
On the other hand, the line-up for the Men’s 4×200-Meter Freestyle Relay consisted of Ticbaen, Labanon, Morie Pabalan, and Rafael Barreto. However, their time was disqualified for an undisclosed reason.
Looking to avenge their counterparts’ disqualification, the Women’s Team in the 4×200-Meter Freestyle Relay, which comprised of Neri, Manuel, Isa Estacio, and Maiki Gonzaga, picked up the bronze medal with a time of 9:30.66 and ended the day’s event on a high note.
Riding their wave of momentum, the Ateneo Blue Eagles aim to secure more podium finishes on the second day of their Season 88 competition tomorrow, November 7, at 8:00 AM in the same venue.
Men’s Standings – Points
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 104
- DLSU Green Tankers – 73
- UP Fighting Maroons – 40
- UST Tigersharks – 39
Women’s Standings – Points
- UP Fighting Maroons – 102
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 74
- DLSU Lady Tankers – 54
- UST Lady Tigersharks – 34
