By Edwin Rollon
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas varsity teammates Aishel Evangelista and Patricia Santor dominated five events in their respective age group classes to lead the list of Most Outstanding Swimmers (MOS) awardees at the close of ‘Go Full Speedo Swim Series Long Course Swimming Meet Leg 1 on Sunday at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
The 14-year-old Evangelista of Betta Caloocan Swim Team, a Grade 10 student, topped the boys' 800m freestyle clocking 9:01.32 in the afternoon session against Joaquin De Castro of Ilustre East (9:45.24) and Marc Chua of Xavier School (10:12.60) to hike his gold medal haul to five in the two-day competition organized by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) and backed by Speedo, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Evangelista, a member of the National Team in the Asian Age Group Championships last February in New Clark City, also topped the 200m Individual Medley (2:18.45), 50m breaststroke (33.38), 100m free (57.64) and 50m backstroke (31.77).
Likewise, the 16-year-old Santor of Ilustre East Swim of National mentor Ramil Ilustre matched Evangelista’s medal haul with victories in the 800m free (10:05,25) and 200m free (2:24.30) and claimed the MOS award in girls 16-yrs-old class. The UST Senior High also dominated the 200m IM (2:31.22), 200m breaststroke (2:50.68), and 100m freestyle (1:02.80).
Makoto Nakamura of S’Ace Seahawks and North Cotabato phenom Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig of Midsayap Pirates also emerged as MOS in the girls' 11-yrs and 18-yrs-old classes, respectively with four and three gold medals,
Makoto claimed the 800m free (10:29.86), 200m fly (2:47.39), 200m IM (2:45.64), and 50m breast (40.27), while Talosig, 18, delivered anew in the 800m free clocking 9:44.96 to add to her previous victories in the 200m IM (2:33.32), 100m free (1:01.80).
“We congratulate all the winners. We hope to see them on the Leg 2 next month. Hopefully, mas magagandang time ang makikita natin sa susunod na tournament,” said PAI Executive Director Anthony Reyes.
The Second Leg of the series is set for October 19-20.
