LOS BAÑOS, Laguna– UST swimmers failed to snatch the championship and settled for silver medal-finishes for the second consecutive year in UAAP competitions.
The Tigersharks racked up 201 points, which were good for second place behind new champion De La Salle University’s 262 points. The women’s team was also good for the No. 4 spot behind Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and back-to-back titlist University of the Philippines.
In juniors’ play, both the girls’ and boys’ squads also finished second with 292 and 205 points, respectively.
Team captain Miguel Carandang led UST’s 4-10-5 medal drive by reaping gold in 50-meter freestyle (25.44) during competitions at the Trace College Aquatic Complex from Sept. 22 to 25.
He also snared four silver medals in 50-meter backstroke (29.60), 50-meter breast stroke (32.40), 100-meter backstroke (1:03.88), and 100-meter breast stroke (1:09.11) events.
UST also relied on mainstay Samuel Alcos, who contributed twin gold medals, in the 50-meter breaststroke (32.06) and 100-meter breaststroke (1:8.54). Co-captain Gerrol Castillo took home two silver medals after placing second in 100-meter freestyle (1:01.35) and 200-meter freestyle (2:05.32) events.
Seniors division best rookie Xavier Ilustre fortified their medal tally with a silver in 200-meter butterfly (2:14:54), just seconds behind Season 74 MVP Johanssen Aguilar of De La Salle University (2:13:62).
“I was nervous at first because my teammates really expected something from me,” said Ilustre, a 17-year-old novice from Montessori Integrated School.
Karlo Salonga placed third in 50-meter freestyle (25.96) and 100-meter freestyle (57.55), respectively. Dexter Docong also landed third in the 50-meter breaststroke (32.56).
The UST quartet of Alcos, Salonga, Ruel Medina and Jeremiah Tolentino pocketed gold by dominating the 200-meter medley relay (1:56.52).
Docong, Medina, Salonga, and younger sibling Reynaldo Salonga Jr. also finished second in the 200-meter freestyle medley (1:45.69).
Docong, Louie Avelino, Paul Vista, and the younger Salonga joined forces to secure a bronze in the 400-meter medley with 4:26.63.
The Tigersharks also topped the 400-meter freestyle relay via Johanez Evangelista, Avelino and the Salonga siblings (3:54.14). The efforts of Evangelista, Avelino,
Michael Esguerra and Ralph Manalang also extracted a bronze in 800-meter freestyle relay (8:59.41).
Troubled pool queens
The Female Tigersharks are still in the hunt for their first title since 2007.
Leyann Ramo clocked 1:09.06 to grab a silver medal in 100-meter butterfly.
The team also won two bronze medals in 400-meter medley, courtesy of Monica Jordan, Alexa Espino, Chiekie Agngarayngay and Julie Dujate (1:59.70). UST placed third in 200-meter freestyle via the quartet of Ramo, Jordan, Espino and Anjala Jamerlan (5:03:43). with reports from Anne Marie Carmela L. Dayauon
