The DLSU Synchro Peri Green Team (SPGT) performs beneath the different elite sport organizations of the Green-and-White. Until today the team suffers is overshadowed throughout the university grounds, which has disabled the team’s potential to expand.
DLSU SPGT established its name in 2000, under the management of PE Department Head Dr. Elizabeth Mascardo, a pioneer competitive swimmer in her early years. The team has since been competing in some synchronized swimming competitions.
Synchronized swimming is a hybrid form of swimming, dancing, and gymnastics. A performance needs around seven to eight swimmers, performing a synchronized routine of intricate moves in the water, accompanied by music. The sport also demands advanced water capabilities, great strength, endurance, flexibility, imagination, and precise timing, as well as breath control when upside down underwater.
Building a team
The team has struggled in finding members despite the team’s presence for 12 years. As a result the PE department integrated synchronized swimming into its PE swimming curriculum to encourage students to join and be a part of this aquatic sport
“Since we started we have been slowly growing, but yet till now we are still slowly growing,” noted Coach Mascardo.
The swimming squad also failed to be recognized as a sports organization that the university would sponsor, resulting into funding problems, which has limited the team’s competing opportunities. Moreover, synchronized swimming is not a sporting event recognized in the UAAP.
Despite the team’s predicament in funding, scholarships, recognition, and opportunities, SPGT still competes with its seven members; two of its seven members are still in high school.
Aquatic paradise
As a coach, Mascardo wants DLSU SPGT to hold the title of number one in synchronized swimming, but as her swimmers have shared, synchronized swimming is for enjoyment and relaxation. The coaching staff, therefore, does not pressure its swimmers.
“As a coach, we aim to be number one, but our swimmers do not aim for competition. Actually when we talked heart-to-heart, they said that they didn’t want to compete, but rather just enjoy and relax. Since they shared that if they do synchro (synchronization), they become more relaxed. The sport also makes one more intelligent. One of our swimmers is actually taking up electrical engineering and her grades are all 4, and yet she still has the time to synchro with all of that,” recalled Coach Mascardo.
Making a big splash
Due to the lack of local competitions, the SPGT even with small numbers has competed internationally to represent the Green-and-White. The team’s last entry was at the Hong Kong Synchro Open and the Singapore Synchro Open.
The team also aims to join the Malaysia Synchro Open to be held on November 25, but has continued to encounter funding and recognition issues.
