By Edwin Rollon
RICIELLE Maleeka Melencio dominated two more events, bringing her total gold medal haul to five, and claimed the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) award in the premier class at the closed of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. ‘Go Full Speedo’ Swim Series Leg 2 Championships on Sunday at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila.
The 19-year-old protégé of Ayala Harpoons Swim Club topped the girls' 19-over 200-meter backstroke and 1,500-m freestyle, clocking 2:35.62 and 19:18.62, respectively, becoming the winningest swimmer in the two-day event organized by PAI and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Speedo.
Melencio beat Dianna Celyn Cruz of Ilustre East Aquatic (2:41.25) and Iammejen Lopez of D’Ace Seahwaks in the 200m back, before dominating the field in the 1500m free with her closer rival Rio Balbuena of Ilustre East finishing second at 19:25.80.
On Saturday's opening day, the former international age group campaigner claimed three gold medals, winning the girls' 50-m butterfly, 200-m freestyle, and 400-m freestyle, clocking 31.58 seconds, 2:19.26, and 4:55.28, respectively. She missed a chance for an event sweep as she finished third in the 100-m back (1:13.70) behind winner Dianna Celyn Cruz of Ilustre East Aquatic (1:13.33).
“I feel better than the last series regarding training leading to this competition. I'm more prepared now, my goal is to improve my performance and I’m doing better now and mentally ready,” said the Ateneo freshman taking up Management Information System referring to her two golds, 1 silver, and two bronze performances in Series 1 last month.
SEA Age Group campaigners Aishel Evangelista, Nicola Queen Diamante, Makoto Nakamura, and Sophia Rose Garra shared the limelight. They claimed MOS awards in their respective age classes in the event as part of the PAI swimmer’s ranking system.
Evangelista, who also topped the boys' 14-year-old class in Series 1 last month with six gold medals, delivered in the 200m back (2:20.94), 100m breaststroke (1:12.91), 200m free (2:02.40), and silver medal in the 100m back (1:06.58) behind winner Kean Paragatos of Rapid Dolphins (1:06.19).
Likewise, Diamante, a Grade 9 student at the Augustinian Abbey in Las Pinas claimed the girls 14 yrs MOS with victories in the 200m back (2:49.88), 100m back (1:17.94) and 50m butterfly (31.70); Nakamura dominated the girls 11yrs with triumph in 100m breast (1:28.46), 400m free (5:07.25), 200m freestyle (2:28.75) while Garra topped the 12yrs 400m free (4:51.25), 100m back (1:08.97), 200m back (2:29.74), 100m breast (1:21.75), 200m free (2:18.16).
Other gold medal winners in the meet’s final day are Jacob Blanco in the boys 11-yrs old 200m backstroke (2:48.62), Von Andrei Pinon (12yrs, 2:29.74), Ethan Elimos (13yrs, 2:35.41), Theodore peng (15yrs, 2:36. 63), Emilio Thelmo (16yrs, 2:31.52), Kristoff David (17rs, 2:22.69), Jim Ryan Mirandilla (18yrs, 2:43.81), Franco Garcia (19yrs., 2:29.05);
Rica Ansale in the girls 11-yrs old 200m backstroke (2:49.41); Sabina Ricci Lirio (14yrs, 2:45.50), Kristine Jane Uy (15yrs, 2:34.63), Joana Mae Avergonzado (16yrs, 2:43.46), Mikyla Guzman (17yrs, 2:45.33), and Trella Lapada (18trs, 2:48.87).
