LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA – The UST Female Tigersharks stood by their decision to boycott their event, while their male counterparts remained in fourth spot in the UAAP swimming competitions at the Trace College Aquatic Center here Saturday.
Coach August Alcantara said the entire team had skipped all events since Day 1 of the tournament, which began last Sept. 19, following the issuance of a temporary restraining order on the league’s two-year residency rule.
The TRO allowed Mikee Bartolome, a former juniors’ MVP while playing for UST, to now compete for the University of the Philippines, whose female squad is seeking its fifth straight title.
The rookie-laden UST Male Tigersharks registered 138 points after three days to remain at fourth place.
With one gold, four silver and two bronze medals so far, the Tigersharks are behind UP (313 points), De La Salle University (217 points) and defending champion Ateneo de Manila University (208 points).
Franz Marquez led UST in Day 3 of the tournament after copping the team’s first gold medal in the 100-meter breast stroke (1:09.53).
He also bagged a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley (4:48.46), finishing behind two-time MVP Johansen Aguilar of La Salle.
Male Tigersharks Ralph Kevin Claveria, John Ronnel Bautista, John Lou Ocampo and Charles Ivan Yatco wrapped up the day for UST with another silver in the 200-meter freestyle relay.
“Considering that we are a young team, we were still able to match up against other teams that paraded high-caliber and national players,” team captain Paul Vista said.
In the second day, Marquez got another second-place finish in the 400-meter freestyle (4:13.06) behind last season’s Rookie of the Year Alex Ngui (4:08.06) of Ateneo. Marquez grabbed his first silver medal in Day 1 in the 200-meter individual medley.
Marc Joven Madero clinched a bronze in the 50-meter breast stroke (32.24) behind Jhonmar Gonzales (31.96) of La Salle and UP’s Christen Mercado (31.82).
Claveria, Ocampo, Yatco and Dexter Docong likewise ended third in the 200-meter medley.
In women’s play, Adamson University and University of the East joined the boycott, while De La Salle University decided not to participate in the events where Bartolome was competing.
“I told them the decision of all the UST coaches and they (Female Tigersharks) accepted it. We stand by our decision,” Alcantara said.
May Margareth Sanchez, a rookie Female Tigershark, expressed her regrets regarding the decision, but said she supports the team’s stand.
“It was supposed to be my UAAP debut in one event, but I wasn’t able to compete. I sacrificed a lot for this competition, but we need to support each other.” Alexis U. Cerado and Paul Kennedy A. Lintag
