LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – Carve four on the UAAP shore.
Employing the same grit and passion that fueled their “three-peat” championship romp last season, the UST Female Tigersharks again made fish-food out of the opposition to capture their fourth straight swimming title even as their male counterparts mustered another bridesmaid finish last September 20-23 at the state-of-the-art Trace Aquatic Complex.
The España-based female tankers swam to supremacy anew with two golds, 10 silvers and 10 bronzes for a neat 224.50 point-finish, comfortably ahead of Ateneo de Manila’s 180.50 points and the University of the Philippines’ (UP) 162 points.
The Female Tigersharks got a head start in the first two days of battle, churning out 97 points for a six-point advantage against Ateneo de Manila University.
“The women’s team is a complete package. Most of them can score and contribute,” coach Cyrus Alcantara told the Varsitarian.
Sophomore Liane Marquez spearheaded the Female Tigersharks’ blitz, fishing out the gold in the 100-meter butterfly at 1:08.70, on top of four silvers in the 200-meter individual medley (2:35.18), 50-meter butterfly (00:31.06), 50-meter backstroke (00:32.55), and 100-meter backstroke (1:09.90). Marquez won the bronze in the 200-meter backstroke at 2:38.13.
Echoing Marquez’s sterling feat was Season 68 Rookie of the Year and old reliable Josephine Pilapil, who took the gold in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:54.25), coupled with two silvers in the 50-meter breaststroke (00:37.00) and 100-meter breaststroke (1:21.38) and three bronze in the 200-meter IM (2:37.53), 50-meter freestyle (00:29.18) and 200-meter freestyle (2:20.16).
Newcomer Marvie Borja also figured in UST’s medal drive, reaping two silvers in the 100-meter (1:10.17) and 200-meter (2:33.25) butterfly events, and a bronze in the 400-meter individual medley (5:35.99), to clinch the Rookie of the Year award. Meanwhile, sophomore Edzen Dinglasan notched a silver in the 200-meter breaststoke (2:57.32) and a bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:21.64), while veteran Apryl Herrera pocketed a bronze in the 100-meter butterfly (1:10.63).
UST also got a silver in the 800-meter freestyle relay, clocking 10:24.26, and three bronzes in the 200-meter freestyle relay (2:05.42), 200-meter medley relay (2:19.09) and 100-meter medley relay (5:16.08).
Last-minute chase
In the final day of competition, the Tigersharks managed to bag four golds, five silvers, and five bronzes for a 192-point aggregate but still remained at the mercy of arch-rival UP, which again ruled the men’s side with 204 points. Comebacking De La Salle University bannered by Season 70 Most MVP Enchong Dee ended up third with 189 points.
“They (Male Tigersharks) strived to contribute whatever they can to retain their position after a sluggish start in the tournament but things could have been better,” said Alcantara.
Miguel Carandang led UST with two golds in the 50-meter (00:31.75) and 100-meter breaststoke (1:09.97) while backstopping teammate Francis Villagante’s golden effort of 2:29.19 in the 200-meter breaststroke with a bronze (2:34.14).
Villagante also collared a pair of bronzes in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:10.75) and 400-meter IM (5:05.02). Ahli Frigillana added a silver in the 1500-meter freestyle (18.12.28) and two bronzes in the 800-meter freestyle (9:32.28) and 200-meter butterfly (2:17.28).
Villagante then conspired with Daniel Joves, Geeno Galac and Edwardson Garcia to snare the gold in the 200-meter freestyle relay via a new UAAP record of 1:43.89. UST then underscored its might in the team category with silver-medal finishes in the 200-meter medley relay (1:56.03), 800-meter freestyle relay (8:57.20), 400-meter freestyle relay (3:56.83) and 400-meter medley relay (4:20.11).
On the other hand, the UST high school team placed second in both the boys’ and girls’ division with 170 and 217 points, respectively. With reports from Alphonsus Luigi E. Alfonso
