Former Rookie of the Year Johansen Benedict Aguilar anchored the Green Tankers back to a podium finish, while the Lady Tankers exited third best during the UAAP Season 74 Swimming Meet last Sept. 22-25 at the Trace Aquatic Sports Center in Los Baños, Laguna.
The Green Tankers brought home DLSU’s first championship of the season amassing 262 points; 61 points ahead of the UST Tigersharks, which scored only 201. The Ateneo Blue Tankers finished third with 135 points.
In the women’s action, the Lady Tankers anchored itself to the same third place finish as they tallied 159 points, behind runners-up Ateneo at 216 and pool champions UP with 312 points.
Nothing but gold
Aguilar emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), after sweeping all of his events, which earned him seven gold medals, a rare feat that was also achieved by former Tanker, Enchong Dee, back in 2009.
The SEA Games-bound Aguilar registered 63 points out of the Green Tankers’ 262 points, for the Tankers’ 11th crown, overall.
Aguilar shattered his records at the 50-meter backstroke and 100-meter backstroke, clocking 27.52 seconds and 59.49 seconds respectively.
“One of my goals is to break my record because the feeling of breaking a record is different, it is special for a swimmer,” Aguilar noted.
The UAAP also served as Aguilar’s gauge for the upcoming Asian Age Group Swimming Championships and the Southeast Asian Games, both in Indonesia.
Plunging into the wave
The Green Tankers were well prepared and determined to clinch the title, after a dismal fourth place finish last season.
“We all agreed that we did not want to rank 4th again like last year, and that we want to offer our achievements to the late Janina Sedilla – the former women’s team captain,” Green Tankers Captain Tim Yap shared.
In addition to Aguilar’s hefty contribution, Green Tankers skipper Tim Yap pocketed 3 gold medals while Jhonmar Gonzales added 2 gold and 2 silver medals which sealed La Salle’s 11th swimming championship in the UAAP since joining the league back in 1986.
Also, the Taft-based freestyle relay team composed of Patrick Juen, Robert Estrellado, Jarvin Li, Bendrick Co, Christopher Manalo, Rainier Salonga and Luigi Roxas trumped the 200m and 800m category.
The 50-meter butterfly category was all green with MVP Aguilar, Pierce Beltran and Manalo clinching the top three positions.
The new additions to the team also contributed in the victory. “All of them have helped the team. In fact, they even surpassed our expectations,” Yap added.
Just like last year
The Lady Tankers, led by skipper Heish Laviña, had the fewest participants in the meet, providing minimal rest for the squad in between events.
Motivated by the recent death of Sedilla and DLSU’s centenary, the Green-and-White lasses resisted the drawback and maintained a foothold of the 3rd slot at the end of the four-day event.
Prized catch UAAP Juniors MVP and Athlete of the Year Sabrina Ilustre hauled in her inaugural swim, with four silver medals from the 100m and 200m breaststroke, 400m individual medley, 200m butterfly and one bronze from the 200m individual medley.
Erika Visitacion copped two first runner-ups in the 50-meters individual breaststroke and 200-meters team medley relay with Ayee Quilala, Trixcee Tan and Camille Enriquez.
The Lady Tankers lineup had silver finishes in the 400m team relay medley and bronze finishes for the 800m freestyle and 400m freestyle team relay.
Laviña commended the rookies’ efforts in contributing to their campaign. “I was surprised that they performed well in the competition. We got top-caliber rookie swimmers, their experience from high school helped their performance.”
Laviña vows for a better season for the Lady Tankers next year.
