UAAP: Tankers swim to podium finishes

As the majority of those following the UAAP Season 76 swimming competition were focused on Mikee Bartolome and her eligibility, the DLSU Green Tankers and Lady Tankers took to the water to try their best to make waves that would bring glory to La Salle.

Despite UP lording over both the men’s and women’s competition, the Tankers retained their second and third spots respectively, and at the same time, proved that despite remaining on the same spots for the second consecutive season, they had become even better with every new edition of the competition, held this year at the Trace College Aquatics Center in Los Baños, Laguna.

“We came in expecting a tough fight and we were clearly not the favorites,” says UAAP Season 76 Men’s Swimming MVP Johansen Aguilar. “But the fact that we were able to defeat the defending champions, Ateneo, really means that we fought hard till the end.”

Though the Taft-based swimmers showed heart and determination, this was not enough to earn them the gold for this season’s stint. The men’s team garnered silver medals with 301 points, behind a dominant UP squad that amassed 452 points, dethroning Ateneo de Manila University, who slid to third with 283 points. Aguilar was a major contributor to the Green Tankers’ cause as he secured five gold medals and two silvers, honors that rightfully earned him his third consecutive MVP award in the Men’s division. The Lady Tankers on the other hand finished third in the controversial competition with 115 points, far behind UP and Ateneo who had 587 and 387 points, respectively.

“The second place finish is sweeter this season since this was really unexpected and a lot of our rookies also stepped up, which is a very good sign for the years to come,” the decorated Green Tanker adds.  “The team was more bonded this year even with the all the issues we had to go through, it was definitely a learning experience for everyone.”

Though it was the controversies that made the headlines in this year’s competition, they weren’t a hindrance to UP’s campaign as Clair Adorna and the controversial Bartolome both garnered medals in their respective competitions. DLSU and UST’s boycott in competitions Bartolome took part in aided the Lady Maroons’ cause and with Ateneo not following their rivals, the women’s competition virtually became a “Battle of Katipunan” on the water. The Diliman-based squad though, couldn’t match Aguilar’s five gold medal haul as Gabe Castelo and Charlie Walker could only muster two gold medals apiece.

With the competition over and a whole year to get back to the drawing board, the future seems bright for the Green Tankers and Lady Tankers as the fresh faces that contributed to this year’s runner-up finish will be next year’s veterans.

“The team next year will be much younger, but more experienced,” the graduating Aguilar adds. “For me, anyone can lead the team as long as he or she has the right mindset, discipline, and attitude.”