Ateneo and UP emerged victorious in UAAP Collegiate Swimming, while UST stood tall in the high school ranks.
Ateneo de Manila University marched to its 10th straight UAAP Men’s Swimming championship, while University of the Philippines reclaimed the women’s throne to conclude the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Swimming Tournament on Sunday at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in Tarlac.
The Blue Eagles closed their dominant run in Season 88 with 471 points to comfortably claim the men’s division title. De La Salle University’s Green Tankers (294) finished as runner-up, while the University of Santo Tomas Tigersharks (224) edged out the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (214) for third place.
Only two teams have ever posted a longer streak than Ateneo in UAAP Swimming history. UST claimed 12 straight men’s division titles from Seasons 19 to 30 during the 1950s–1960s. More recently, Ateneo itself had an 11-peat in the boys’ division from Seasons 68 to 78.
If surpassing these records once seemed impossible, the Blue Eagles are now well-positioned to do so in the coming years, with a core that still includes back-to-back Most Valuable Player Miguel Barreto and Rookie of the Year TJ Amaro.
“Even after we got the seventh and eighth championships, we were already looking forward na we wanted to get that tenth,” said Ateneo swimming program director Archie Lim. “But hindi siya parang you would think na we can just keep winning the championship. Syempre meron siyang ibang struggles and may iba naging problema.
“But I think we overcame that and really, it’s the team naman talaga,” he added.
Barreto, who had already collected four golds and a silver in the first three days to secure his repeat MVP, stepped aside on the final day to let his teammates shine.
“Itong MVP na ito, actually hindi naman sa hindi ko ine-expect, pero nandiyan kasi sila TJ, one of the best,” said the 21-year-old sophomore. “Siya ‘yung pinaka-tight competition ko pagdating dito. Siguro during the preparation for this season, yes iniisip ko ‘yung MVP and all, pero okay lang sa akin kahit ano mangyari if sa teammate ko mapupunta.
“Thankfully, nahanap ko pa rin yung spark para mag-enjoy and para makuha itong MVP,” he added.
Amaro shone in the men’s 50-meter freestyle, zooming past the competition to claim his third gold medal in 23.59 seconds and seal his rookie of the year honor. UST’s rookie duo of Zach Belen (24.03) and Marcus De Kam (24.12) completed the podium.
Ivo Enot also delivered for Ateneo, winning the men’s 50-meter backstroke in 26.94 seconds, ahead of DLSU’s Estifano Ramos (27.17) and UST’s Belen (27.29).
In the men’s 200-meter butterfly, Ateneo senior Marco Daos (2:09.14) led rookie teammate Paolo Labanon (2:10.15) to a 1-2 finish, with UST’s Ivan Radovan (2:13.44) taking bronze.
The Blue Eagles capped their historic Season 88 run with a final victory in the men’s 400-meter medley relay. Enot, Ace Espiritu, Rafael Barreto, and Charles Ticbaen touched the wall in 3:54.47 to hold off UP (3:54.96) and DLSU (3:57.71).
“If you think about it, ‘yon ang maganda na each season has a story nga. There were seasons na aminin ko na medyo dominating na talagang we were going for all the goals, and like you mentioned nga, there was one time na 12 lang kami or actually less pa nga, but we overcame that,” Lim said.
“I think it’s really more of the system. Hindi naman sa less complicated, but we try to break it up and nandiyan ‘yung training, nandiyan na ‘yung recruitment, and nandiyan na ‘yung retention, even the coaches, and of course, the Ateneo support. I think all the support goes on to this ‘ten-peat.’”
UP’s quest for redemption
In reclaiming the throne, State U also secured its 22nd women’s title in UAAP Swimming, which was aided greatly by twin wins from ace Quendy Fernandez.
The Fighting Maroons dominated the women’s division, amassing 472 points to overpower defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles (255), De La Salle University Lady Tankers (222), and University of Santo Tomas Lady Tigersharks (204).
Fernandez, the 20-year-old junior, shone in the women’s 50-meter backstroke—the same event that earned her a Southeast Asian Games slot—setting a new UAAP record of 29.35 seconds to break her previous mark of 29.85. UST rookie Isha Villa (31.71) and UP’s Kate Dequina (31.74) finished a distant second and third, respectively.
In the women’s 50-meter freestyle, Fernandez (27.51 seconds) led a team sweep as Atasha Dela Torre (27.79) and Thanya Dela Cruz (27.89) joined her on the podium.
UP also showcased teamwork in the women’s 400-meter medley relay, where Dequina, Dela Cruz, Nikki Sarmiento, and Colette Adanza powered through for a 4:31.16 finish, ahead of DLSU’s 4:37.12 and UST’s 4:50.10.
UP’s Aubrey Tom also edged UST’s Shairinne Floriano (2:25.92) to finish second in 2:25.65 in the 200-meter butterfly, earning her the rookie-of-the-year title with one silver and two bronze medals.
University of the Philippines coach Marichi Gandionco highlighted the team’s “always ready” mindset heading into the Championships.
“Every year, we always prepare ourselves to make sure everyone does their best. We always know that there’s gonna be mishaps that could come our way; unfortunately, these were what cost us the championship last year. This year, coming in, it was really more of keeping that mindset that we can always stay up there and that trying to get it back is no easy task,” said Gandionco, a former national team swimmer.
Reflecting on the season’s success, Gandionco credited both the current roster and new recruits for the team’s triumph.
“It was never easy to ensure that the current swimmers maintain focus and that we recruit girls who will be beneficial for the team both in and out of the water. And, I think, we were able to get that this year. So, we were happy with the result, and we’re going to celebrate this for sure,” she reflected.
UST’s dynasty stands tall
In the high school ranks, it was the University of Santo Tomas asserting their might, finishing as double champions for the fifth consecutive year in UAAP swimming.
In the boys’ division, the Junior Tigersharks dominated with 630 points, far ahead of Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles’ 315 points, De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Tankers’ 143 points, University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons’ 100 points, and guest school PAREF-Southridge School Admirals’ 28 points.
“Surreal feeling. Proud ako para sa mga bata dahil na-handle namin ‘yung mga bata na ganyan ka-talented,” said Tigersharks head coach Agot Alcantara. “‘Yung work naman, kaming coaches, about 10 percent lang yan, 90 percent, sa kanila yan. ‘Yung glory, sa kanila at sa school yan. Kami, nandito lang kami sa likod nila.”
In the girls’ division, the Junior Lady Tigersharks also asserted their supremacy, scoring 580 points, well ahead of Ateneo’s 265 points, UPIS’s 165 points, and DLSZ’s 143 points.
“Actually, ‘yung two years kasi, medyo nag-adjust sila after nung pandemic kasi ‘yung mga klase nila, hindi naman face-to-face. And then nung pagbalik na, medyo nag-adjust kami ng sobra kasi ‘yung class is face-to-face na, inadjust namin ‘yung training at siningit nila ‘yung mga training. Ganon sila kasipag, gusto nila manalo na up until now na straight,” added Lady Tigersharks head coach Rhenzel Jugar.
On the final day, four gold medals went to the Junior Tigersharks, with only the boys’ 200-meter butterfly escaping their grasp. De La Salle Zobel’s Zyrus Bueta snatched the gold in 2:16.62, surpassing UST’s Sam Villanueva (2:18.08) and DLSZ’s reigning rookie-of-the-year Niño Pugay (2:18.51).
Kristoff David, Gabe Sy, and Tim Capulong each contributed gold medals for UST. David (27.33 seconds) outpaced Ateneo’s Thirdy Lentejas (27.97) and UST’s Julian De Kam (29.48) in the boys’ 50-meter freestyle. Sy (2:27.64) dominated the boys’ 200-meter breaststroke, leaving Kevin Chan (2:34.40) of UPIS and Miguel Martinez (2:35.16) of Ateneo behind. Capulong (24.65) claimed gold in the boys’ 50-meter freestyle, defeating Martinez (24.92) and Chan (25.14).
David and Sy later returned to the pool with CJ Valenzuela and Joseph Ciudadano to win the boys’ 400-meter medley relay in 4:03.83, narrowly missing the UAAP record of 4:02.28. Ateneo (4:28.95) and DLSZ (4:37.09) finished well behind.
Though he did not compete on the final day, Grade 10 ace Aishel Evangelista was named season MVP, having collected six gold medals and a bronze across the four days.
“Very happy at natutuwa kasi dahil sa hard work, nakuha na rin namin and may napala ‘yung ginawa naming training and ‘yung paggising namin sa umaga,” said Evangelista, the 17-year-old swimmer from Caloocan. “Proud din ako sa teammates namin dahil nagpursigi sila and maganda rin yung naging outcome para sa kanila this season.”
In the girls’ division, Ateneo’s graduating ace Trixie Ortiguerra showcased her dominance by winning three gold medals on the final day.
Ortiguerra set a UAAP record in the girls’ 50-meter backstroke with a time of 30.34 seconds, nearly half a second faster than the previous mark of 30.80 set in 2017. UST’s Tintin Uy (32.11) and Loreen Palmos (32.51) finished second and third, respectively.
Competing on home soil, Ortiguerra also claimed the girls’ 50-meter freestyle in 27.46 seconds, finishing almost a second ahead of UST’s Aica Sy (28.42) and DLSZ’s Annika Quinto (28.57). Sy later earned rookie-of-the-year honors with two silver medals.
Finally, Ortiguerra teamed up with Aliya Tondo, Anaia Lim, and Simone Cruz to win the girls’ 400-meter medley relay in 4:39.99, challenging the UAAP record of 4:38.58. UST followed closely in 4:40.52, while DLSZ (5:06.50) completed the podium.
Despite Ortiguerra’s efforts, the Junior Lady Tigersharks still accumulated more points on Day 4, thanks to wins by Zichi Daiz and Pam Santor in the girls’ 200-meter breaststroke and 200-meter butterfly, respectively.
Daiz (2:49.13) bested Santor (2:51.13) and Taylor Saliba (2:51.57) to give UST a podium sweep in the girls’ 200-meter breaststroke. Santor returned with vengeance in the girls’ 200-meter butterfly, breaking the UAAP record with 2:22.92. UPIS’s Liv Florendo took silver in 2:29.14, while UST’s Sinagtala Cuevas claimed bronze in 2:38.83.
With the win, Santor secured her repeat as MVP, tallying six gold medals and one silver.
“It’s really hard. But I am glad that after all the challenges, I believed in myself and others believed in me. I am glad that I pulled through after everything,” said 17-year-old Santor, who also won six gold medals in last week’s Batang Pinoy competition in General Santos City.
“It was a team effort, first of all, kasi without my teammates, coaches, and parents, I would not believe in myself, and salamat din sa coach ko in coach Ramil [Ilustre], who has been with me since the very beginning. I am just happy that I finished my junior year with a bang.”
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.