The future is indeed bright.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Varsity Swimming Team (VST) and Track and Field Team (TFT) concluded their UAAP Season 88 campaigns on Sunday, Nov. 9, at New Clark City (NCC) Sports Hub in Tarlac with two podium finishes and much to look forward to in the coming seasons.
The Women’s VST brought back the crown to Diliman, while its men’s counterpart was just 10 points shy of a podium. UP TFT brought home a second runner-up trophy in the men’s division as the young women’s team ended its campaign at fourth place.
Turning the tides
The UP VST’s grit and glory rippled through the pool by taking home a total of 16 gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals in its UAAP Season 88 campaign that took place on Nov. 6 to 9 at the NCC Aquatics Center.
With its record-breaking performance and medal tally, the women’s team clinched the championship title with an outstanding total of 472 accumulated points.
The first day of the tournament showed a promising fight with WVST’s quartet of Abi Perez, Thanya Dela Cruz, Nikki Sarmiento and Kate Dequiña dominating the 4×50 medley relay with a record-breaking finish of 2:01.72, erasing Ateneo De Manila University’s (ADMU) previous record of 2:01.83 in the previous season.
The squad cemented its place at the top, as Season 86 MVP and Rookie of the Year Quendy Fernandez set new records for the women’s 100-meter and 50-meter backstroke categories.
Fernandez broke De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Tanker Chloe Isleta’s record of 1:04.13 in the century dorsal with 1:03.79, while she surpassed her own 29.85-second set in 50m backstroke sprint by half a second faster, 29.35 seconds.
Adding on to her golden run, Fernandez snatched the top spot for the 200-meter backstroke (2:18.84), 50-meter butterfly (28.73s) and 50-meter freestyle (27.51), and also added a bronze medal in the 200m individual medley (2:30.26).
The crew of Perez, Dela Cruz, Dequiña and CY Delos Santos also proved a force to be reckoned with as they established a new record for the women’s 4×50 freestyle relay, coming in at 1:50.60 to surpass ADMU’s 1:50.99 record from the previous season.
A different squad would secure another gold for State U, with Atasha Dela Torre, Aubrey Tom, Juliana Villanueva and Grace Ang finishing the 4×200 freestyle relay ahead of the DLSU Lady Tankers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 9:14.68.
Dela Cruz, Dequiña, Sarmiento and Colet Adanza also went to grab first place for the 4×100 medley relay. Adanza then teamed up with Delos Santos, Dela Torre and Women’s VST team captain Camille Buico to bag a gold for the 4×100 freestyle relay.
Returning to the scene, Dela Cruz left an impression with two more golds in the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke events, while rookie Delos Santos followed up on these events with silver and bronze, respectively.
Multi-UAAP record holder Dela Torre secured a silver when she touched in at 1:00.66 for the 100-meter freestyle, piling up the women’s medal haul. The women’s squad then occupied the podium with Fernandez (27.51), Dela Torre (27.79) and Dela Cruz (27.89) splitting the 27th second of the 50-meter freestyle event.
Yanna Villanueva also contributed a silver with her stellar finish of the 800-meter freestyle at 9:54.85, while Sarmiento came in at 29.85, just behind teammate Fernandez in the 50-meter butterfly. Dequiña heightened the women’s points with her silver finish in the 100-meter backstroke (1:08.95) and a bronze for the 50-meter backstroke (31.74).
The WVST ends on a high note as the Rookie of the Year is awarded to UP Integrated School graduate Tom, who also received the same award in the girls’ division in Season 82. After securing a silver medal at the 200-meter butterfly (2:25.65) and two bronze medals for the 400-meter freestyle (4:47.48) and the 100-meter butterfly (1:05.57), she leaves a new mark as a Fighting Maroon at the collegiate level.
The men’s team fought through tough tides as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Men’s Team blocked its bid for a podium finish after a neck-to-neck chase, settling at fourth spot with 214 points.
Despite falling off the podium, three-time gold medalist Geoffrey Liberato said the team didn’t falter and will strive for more.
“We still have that UP Utak at Puso mentality, never naman siya nawala sa team,” Liberato said in an interview with Tinig ng Plaridel. “And of course, with the men’s team, we want a rank up with the podium.”
The men’s team bagged a total of ten medals, with Liberato and Joshua Ang charging the lead. Liberato impressively swept the breaststroke events, with fellow Maroon Jalil Taguinod coming in second for the 100-meter breaststroke.
Ang secured one gold, touching the wall first in the men’s 50-meter butterfly at 24.96, ahead of ADMU’s TJ Amaro (25.03 seconds) by a hair. He also bagged a bronze medal for the 100-meter butterfly at 55.93, just behind UST’s Renielle Trinidad (55.84 seconds).
Adding to the medal haul are silver finishes from the crew of Ang, Jem Austria, Eric Umali and Marco Sayson for the 4×50 freestyle relay, where they finished at 1:37.73. Meanwhile, Gian De Guzman, Ang, Liberato and Austria teamed up for the 4×100 medley relay to touch at 3:54.96.
Two more bronze medals were taken by the men’s squad as Umali, Austria, Taguinod and Ethan Chua took the 4×200 freestyle relay at 8:15.73, while the 4×50 medley relay was completed by Sayson, Umali, Ang and Taguinod at 1:46.31.
The UPVST stayed aggressive and motivated throughout four days of action. “Sobrang grabe lang ‘yong fire with the team this year since mas may pinaghuhugutan kami from the last season,” Liberato said.
With VST breaking limits and taking home medals in individual and relay events this season, the Fighting Maroons may just have more to offer to the UP community in the future. “The coaches are always trying to help us stay hungry every season. Every season [ay] meron kaming motivation and drive to push more,” Liberato added.
Leaving it all on the track
The UP Track and Field Team (TFT) fought valiantly in its bid for podium finishes in UAAP Season 88 Athletics Tournament from Nov. 6 to 9 at the NCC Athletics Stadium, putting together a total of four gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals across the men’s and women’s divisions.
The men’s crew tallied a total of 213.25 points to finish as second runner-up, while the women’s team finished in fourth place with 184 points.
Although both squads fell short of their goal of a championship title, outgoing senior Clint Niño Neri said they remain proud of their efforts.
“We fought a good fight naman. Our goal is [that] each [and] every one of us will just do their best. They will just do their part and we delivered naman,” he said in an interview with TNP.
WATCH: Athletes of Diliman: Track and Field Team
Ranier Sobrepeña set a new UAAP record in the Men’s Triple Jump at 15.42 meters, beating the previous record of 15.29 meters.
Competing in sprinting categories, outgoing sprinter Alrhyan Labita took home a gold medal in the men’s 400-meter event (47.77 seconds) and bronze medals in the men’s 100-meter (10.90 seconds), 200-meter (21.85 seconds) and 400-meter hurdles (55.10 seconds) events.
Roy Laudit also had a golden 15:23.30 finish in the men’s 5,000-meter, while also bagging a bronze medal in the men’s 10,000-meter (32:56.66) event.
For the fourth straight season, Neri landed on the podium of the 100-meter event with a silver medal (10.86 seconds) while also grabbing bronze medals in the men’s triple (14.48 meters) and long jump (7.17 meters) events.
Thrower Neil Jasper Salvador secured a silver medal in the men’s discus throw (43.70 meters), while Jake Jacob Saga took a bronze medal in the men’s shot put (13.28 meters).
Capping off the men’s medal haul is a bronze finish in the 4×100 relay with the team composed of Labita, Neri, Leolan Oranza and Meynard Guillermo.
On the women’s side, discus thrower Chrizzel Lanipa earned the team’s lone gold medal with a 44.33-meter throw. She also garnered a silver medal in the women’s javelin throw (38.08 meters).
Rookie MJ Pagayon brought home silver medals in the 800-meter (2:14.10) and 10,000-meter (39:42.55) events, while Isabella Sta. Maria finished the pole vault event in second place (3.10 meters).
Juliana Talaro hauled in silver medals in the 5,000-meter (27:44.80) and 3,000-meter (15:13.07) racewalk. Ending the competition, Mary Jane Bayola completed their medal haul with bronze finishes in the same category.
Although Neri and Labita concluded their last dance for the team, the jumper assured the UP community of the promising future the TFT has.
“We can assure that UP TFT is in good hands. It will still fight for the championship next year as long as we keep going, stay motivated [and] the fire is still with them,” he said. “Makakaya naman nila and the UP community can expect the UP TFT to give a good fight always every season.”
