San Beda aims to extend dynasty in NCAA swimming

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda seeks to extend its dynastic reign at the pool for another season when the 90th NCAA swimming competitions unfurls today at the Rizal Memorial Swimming Center in Manila.

Mentored by longtime coach Gavino Roxas, the Sea Lions will gun for a 13th straight men's title and 17th overall while the Sea Lionesses shoot for a fourth straight crown in the event organized by a committee chaired by Arellano U Management Committee representative Peter Cayco.

Although San Beda is still way behind Mapua, which owns a league-best 41 swimming championships, it remains by far the most successful swimming program in the recent generation having started its reign in 2002 before stringing together an impressive 14 straight women's titles.

For San Beda's women's tankers, they stole the crown from St. Benilde when the latter won the event in 2009 and 2010 as a demonstration sport.

In juniors' action, La Salle-Greenhills likewise try to continue its dominance of the discipline as it goes for an 11th championship in row and 17th overall.

The Junior Blazers are the third winningest team in high school behind San Beda's 22 crowns and Mapua's 21.