DLSU Tankers: Battle tested, battle ready

Contributing crucial points to last season’s GC tally were the Green Tankers and the Lady Tankers who gracefully finished their events at second and third place respectively. Although the Tankers failed to seize the prestigious gold medal in both divisions, the opening of UAAP Season 76 shows promise for the Green-and-White squad. With a generally intact line-up, a fresh crop of recruits, a strict training scheme, and established championship goals, the Taft-based swimmers are ready to make waves once again.

Swimming never stops

As Green Tanker and reigning UAAP swimming MVP Johansen Aguilar explains, an intense summer program is one of the keys to improving their standing from last season. “For the whole summer, we had a rigid training program consisting of different workouts to strengthen endurance, speed, and power,” he notes. “Even as school starts, the team still trains every day to ensure that everyone stays fit and in shape for the season.”

It has been said that it isn’t practice that makes perfect but perfect practice that makes perfect. For the DLSU Tankers, training isn’t enough; they have to train the right way if they want to achieve their lofty goals this season.

“With all the hard work we put in over the past few months,” a confident Aguilar says, “each of us expects that we will be able to improve our times and achieve the end goal of the team.”

Losing only by a slim 17-point deficit to ADMU last year, the Green Tankers were denied of a back-to-back championship trophy, but this Season 76, the Green Tankers are done testing the waters and are now getting ready to make the waves favor them. The Green Tankers are aiming to secure the championship and bring it back home this time around.

“After finishing a close second place last season, we are looking forward to trying to regain the title this year and hopefully help everyone get their best times in their respective events,” shares Aguilar.

On the other hand, the Lady Tankers, after their fair performance from the previous season, are aiming to climb up the standings and improve from last year’s third place finish. Like their male counterparts, the Lady Tankers are also hoping to regain the championship title that has been elusive to them since UAAP Season 66.

High expectations

Proving to be two of the toughest teams in the UAAP waters, the DLSU Tankers are both looking forward to kick off the new season on a high note. “We’re excited to compete with all the teams, all the teams will serve as a challenge and push us to compete at our highest level and do our very best for the Green and White,” concludes Aguilar.