THE UST Tigersharks clinched the third spot while the Female Tigersharks returned from a year of hiatus to bag fourth during the UAAP Season 77 swimming competitions at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Oct. 2 to 5.
After placing fourth for the last two seasons, the Male Tigersharks collected a total of one silver and six bronze medals for 187 points to finish third overall behind Ateneo De Manila University (540 points) and University of the Philippines (325 points).
UST rookie Francis Marquez delivered the lone silver medal for the Tigersharks in the men’s 200-meter backstroke after clocking in at 2:17.14 behind Ateneo’s Gerard Reyes with 2:13.99.
His older brother, Franz Marquez, led the campaign for the UST men’s team after contributing three bronze medals from 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley and 400-meter freestyle.
In the 4×200-meter freestyle, the team of Justin Jaimas, Allen Miranda, Jux Solita and Michael Bunag bagged third place with a time of 8:37.31 behind Ateneo and De La Salle University.
Solita added another medal in the last day of the tourney after finishing third in the 1500-meter freestyle.
“I’m satisfied with their performance. They did their best and they worked hard for this,” Tigersharks head coach Cyrus Alcantara told the Varsitarian.
After boycotting last year’s meet, the Female Tigersharks returned with five bronze medals for 95 points, behind Ateneo’s 468 points, UP’s 430, and La Salle’s 121.
Four of the Female Tigersharks’ five-medal haul came from the relay competitions, the 4×100-meter freestyle, 4×200-meter freestyle, 4×100-meter medley and 4×50-meter medley.
Returning UST swimmer Edlyn Son was the only individual winner for the women’s team after capturing bronze in the 50-meter freestyle tied with Ateneo’s Thea Caluma. K. C. G. Basco and D. R. M. Dioquino
