Students

UP swimmers make waves

The UP Varsity Swim Team (UPVST) Women’s Team is champion in the recently concluded swimming tournament of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86. The Lady Maroons last won the crown in Season 79.

UPVST Women’s Team poster. Image from The UAAP Facebook page

The UPVST Men’s Team, UP Integrated School (UPIS) VST Boys’ Team, and UPISVST Girls’ Team all finished the season as second runner-up.

UPVST Men’s Team poster. Image from The UAAP Facebook page

The Women’s Team earned 435 points and won 11 golds, eight silvers, and two bronzes. It is UP’s 21st championship in the women’s division.

Meanwhile, the Men’s Team garnered 267.50 points and won four golds, one silver, eight bronzes. The Boys’ Team finished with 75 points and won three bronzes, while the Girls’ Team had 210 points and won two golds, three silvers, and eight bronzes.  

UPISVST Boys’ Team poster. Image from The UAAP Facebook page
UPISVST Girls’ Team poster. Image from The UAAP Facebook page

The UPVST also received individual awards. Quendy Fernandez took Rookie of the Year (ROY) and Most Valuable Player for the women’s division and Matthew Alumbres as ROY for the men’s division.

(From left) Fernandez and UPD College of Human Kinetics Dean Francis Carlos B. Diaz. Image from The UAAP Facebook page
(From left) Alumbres and Diaz. Image from The UAAP Facebook page

The UPVST shattered existing records, tallying three new UAAP records. Fernandez’s 29.85 seconds established a new record for the women’s 50-m backstroke. Atasha Dela Torre, Cindy Fernandez, Louise Lacson, and Angela Villamil clocked in 4:10.50 minutes for the women’s 4 x 100-m freestyle relay. At the men’s 4 x 100-m medley relay, Jude Buncio, Franco Dela Rosa, Pepi Mapa, and Keane Ting gave a new record at 3:56.57 minutes.

The swimming tournament was held from Nov. 23 to 26 at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.