Champion! UP Women’s Swimming Team - University of the Philippines Diliman

UP has reclaimed its women’s swimming title at the collegiate swimming championships of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88.

The UP Women’s Swimming Team (WST) clinched the championship with 472 points, as Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) placed second (255 points), and De La Salle University came in third (222 points.).

This is WST’s 22^nd UAAP title.

*WST, the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Swimming Champion. Image from the UP Varsity Swim Team Facebook page (Photo by Shawn Castro and edited by Iammejen Lopez)*

UP’s medal haul comprised of 12 gold medals, seven silver, and six bronze finishes. Of the gold medals, seven were from individual events and five were from team events. All the silver and bronze medals were from individual categories.

Quendy Fernandez set a new UAAP record of 1 minute 2.95 seconds (1:02.95) in the finals of the 100-meter backstroke event, breaking her own preliminary record of 1:03.79. She also set a new UAAP record of 29.35 seconds in the 50-meter backstroke event, surpassing her 2023 record (29.85 seconds).

*Fernandez. Image from the UP Varsity Swim Team Facebook page*

Fernandez, who was UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year (ROY) and Most Valuable Player, won five gold medals and one bronze medal.

Meanwhile, the five gold medals in the team events were highlighted with two record-breaking performances.

Abi Perez, Thanya Dela Cruz, Nikki Sarmiento, and Kate Dequiña set a new UAAP record (2:01.72) in the 200-meter medley relay, surpassing ADMU’s previous record (2:01.83).

The team of Dela Cruz, Dequiña, and Perez, this time with CY Delos Santos set a new record of 1:50.60 in the 200-meter freestyle relay team besting ADMU’s previous record 1:50.99.

This season’s ROY of the women’s swimming competition is Aubrey Tom. She has one gold (team event), one silver, and two bronze medals. The silver and bronze she won in individual events.

*Tom. Image from the UP Varsity Swim Team Facebook page*

*WST members in action. Photo by Stephen Daniel Busico, UP Diliman Information Office*

In a related development, the UP Men’s Swimming Team placed third with 214 points from its medal haul of four golds, three silver, and three bronze.

*UP Men’s Swimming Team member in action. Photo by Stephen Daniel Busico, UP Diliman Information Office*

In the high school divisions, the UP Girl’s Swimming Team placed second with 165 points (four golds, three silver, and two bronze), while the UP Boy’s Swimming Team placed third with 100 points (one gold, four silver, and one bronze).

The swimming competition was held from Nov. 6 to 9 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.—With a report from Stephen Daniel Busico, UP Diliman Information Office

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