Green and Lady Tankers: Keeping afloat

Last season, the DLSU Swimming teams had a good turnout as the Green Tankers reclaimed the championship title, while the Lady Tankers maintained the team’s third place podium finish for the last three years.

After the impressive performance, a new season for swimming dawns upon the Green-and-White Tankers.

Treading in troubled waters

A new season also means the graduation of experienced upperclassmen.

The women’s team, which had 22 members, is now down to 14. The men’s team as well is down to 19 from 26.

Another challenge for the Tankers is balancing school work and early morning training.

“Our training is so early (5 am-7: 30 am), we are not only athletes; we also go to school; it is hard to fight against sleepiness in class,” Men’s Team Captain Bendrhick Co shared.

Another expedition

The team’s preparation started back in January where the Tankers focused on fundamentals. The Green Tankers trained under a regimen composed of land training such as road run, stairs, planks, ramps, to strengthen the muscles and core.

The team also trained during the summer; training includes long swims to strengthen endurance and to keep them in good shape.

“During summer, actually it was their hell season…For me, that was the best time for them to focus on swimming more than their academics,” DLSU swimming mentor Martin Carandang explained.

Lady Tanker’s Team Captain Pamela Ng narrated her team’s ongoing training regimen.  “Our daily practice was long; [the coaches] had us swimming as much as 12 km. Now that we have endurance as well as good technique, we are currently training on our power. After this, we’ll be focusing on our speed for the final stretch.”

Physical condition is not the only factor for victory, the whole team acknowledges it.  Ng exclaimed, “I expect the team this year to be faster and stronger not only physically, but also mentally. What matters the most for me is the effort that each team member will contribute in the UAAP [that] may be earning medals, points, or by simply giving his/her best during the event.”

Approaching the UAAP

Despite the challenges, the Taft-based Tankers are prepared for the tough times ahead.

“We are quite few since most of them graduated already. Nevertheless, I feel our team is prepared and ready to fight whoever gets in our way.” Coach Carandang assured.

The Tankers bagged a hefty catch of neophytes including Girroh Dones, Joshua Protacio, Christianne De Vera, Vince Raymundo, and Sharmaine Lin.

Both teams are looking to conquer higher tides this season.

“Ibubuhos naming lahat ng makakaya naming para makuha ang back to back champion title this coming UAAP (We will give everything we have to bag the back-to-back champion title this coming UAAP),” Co ensured.

“It’s actually teamwork that would help them win. Even though it is an individual sport, each and every member of my team will help contribute and that would make us win,” Coach Carandang ended.